Next week promises to add to the picture of the state of the UK’s economy, with unemployment, government borrowing and confidence data all due.
Tuesday brings job market figures from the Office for National Statistics, incorporating both the unemployment rate and wage data.
Following figures pointing to slowing economic growth in November this week, eyes will be on both for clarity around already sky-high bets for a February rate cut.
According to Trading Economics, expectations are for unemployment to have remained flat at 4.3% in November, as average earnings growth picked up from 4.9% to 5.2%.
Public sector net borrowing will then dominate headlines on Wednesday, before CBI business optimism and Gfk consumer confidence data on Thursday and Friday respectively.
After November’s £11.25 billion deficit, net government borrowing is predicted to have hit £11.3 billion in December.
Early readings for this year are then anticipated to see consumer confidence and business optimism falling further as concern grows around the likes of wider economic woes and feedthrough of Budget-related cost pressures.
In the US, Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday and any subsequent policy announcements will be key.
Eyes will be on any rapid executive orders after Trump has signalled plans for the likes of sweeping tariffs and energy sector deregulation.
Purchasing manager index readings are also due from each of the UK, US and Europe over the week.