Thursday preview: Bank of England, SNB, Norges Bank in focus

(Sharecast News) - The market spotlight on Thursday will be on the Bank of England. Rate-setters in the UK are expected to stand pat on Bank Rate, keeping it at 4.25%.

However, economists at Bank of America believe that the vote on the Monetary Policy Committee might be more dovish than the last time around.

For his part, City analyst Michael Hewson said: "No changes in policy are expected from this week's meeting as policymakers digest this week's May inflation numbers as well as last week's wages and unemployment data, which saw the unemployment rate rise to a new 4-year high of 4.6%, while the UK economy saw a -0.3% contraction in April.

"Today's surge in oil prices, due to Israel's attack on Iran, will also complicate the inflation picture, if sustained, over the next few days."

On 7 May Bank announced a 25bp reduction, with five MPC members having supported the cut, but another two supported a larger reduction and a further two said the BoE should not lower rates.

Earlier during the same session, the Swiss National Bank is expected to lower rate by 25 basis points to 0.0%, while Norway's central bank is expected to keep them unchanged at 4.50%.

Thursday 19 December

FINALS

First Property Group, Syncona Limited NPV, Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited NPV, XPS Pensions Group

INTERIMS

LPA Group, NCC Group

AGMs

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI), Angling Direct, Partners Group Private Equity Limited. (EUR), Novacyt S.A. (CDI), Clean Power Hydrogen, ASA International Group, Aterian, Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust, Aquila European Renewables (GBP), Star Energy Group, Pantheon Infrastructure, Octopus Titan VCT, Aurrigo International, Futura Medical, Informa, Anpario, Xeros Technology Group, Everyman Media Group, ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments Ltd, Frenkel Topping Group, Maven Renovar Vct, Card Factory, Tortilla Mexican Grill

GMs

Fidelity Japan Trust, Honye Financial Services Limited (DI)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Anglo-Eastern Plantations, GB Group, Animalcare Group, Tatton Asset Management, Advanced Medical Solutions Group, VP, NewRiver REIT, Airtel Africa, Maven Income & Growth VCT, Fidelity China Special Situations, Canal+ S.A (CDI), 3i Group, Concurrent Technologies, United Utilities Group, Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust, British Land Company, TotalEnergies SE, Inspired, Persimmon, Mears Group, Vianet Group, Tate & Lyle, Mitie Group

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

M. P. Evans Group, Gamma Communications, Yu Group, RELX plc

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Compass Group, Barings Emerging Emea Opportunities, Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Ltd, Diverse Income Trust (The), Gooch & Housego

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited, Experian, VPC Specialty Lending Investments

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Fidelity Special Values, Scottish American Inv Company

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Fidelity China Special Situations

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Patria Private Equity Trust