Thursday preview: US jobs data, IFO in focus

(Sharecast News) - Investors' focus on Thursday would be on the latest weekly jobless claims figures in the States. That was because it was one of the timeliest reports on the state of the jobs market and it was precisely the current tight labour market conditions that were helping to buttress consumer spending and hence the remainder of the economy.

There was a bit of a caveat, as any one report need not be reflective of a change in the trend.

Nonetheless, as Chris Hyzy at Merrill Lynch's Chief Investment Office pointed out in his April report, "employment market data is what the Federal Reserve will use as the key determinant to its next move and when (watch claims and job openings data closely)."

"[...] During this time of assessment, it is important to play both defense and offense. Build a plan on how to reposition and rebalance your portfolio to take advantage of the improved prices that this uncertainty has created. Stay calm. Consider increasing diversification, rebalancing if the asset allocation framework drifts too far and be prepared for the significant uncertainty to fade."

Also due out in the States would be a reading for durable goods orders during the month of March.

In the euro area, at 0800 GMT the IFO Institute would release its closely followed business confidence index for April.

No major economic releases were scheduled on home shores.

Thursday 24 April

INTERIMS

ASOS, Tracsis

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Diageo, Hansard Global

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Kier Group

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

City of London Inv Trust, Custodian Property Income Reit, JPMorgan Claverhouse Inv Trust, Supermarket Income Reit

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Durable Goods Orders (US) (13:30)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)

IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)

IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Checkit, Pennant International Group

IMSS

Weir Group

AGMS

Greencoat UK Wind, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Murray International Trust, Relx plc, Team, Weir Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

AJ Bell, ASOS, Inchcape, Jupiter Fund Management , Relx plc, Spirent Communications, St James's Place, Unilever

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Alpha Group International, AVI Japan Opportunity Trust , Bakkavor Group , Bodycote, Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) , Cairn Homes (CDI), Central Asia Metals, Derwent London, Drax Group, Eurocell , Haleon , Hammerson, Harworth Group, Hiscox Limited (DI), Legal & General Group, M. P. Evans Group, Me Group International, Morgan Sindall Group, Mortgage Advice Bureau (Holdings) , Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd., Octopus AIM VCT 2, PPHE Hotel Group Ltd, Public Policy Holding Company, Inc.(DI), Rightmove, Robert Walters, Rotork, Secure Trust Bank, Shaftesbury Capital, Spirax Group, Stelrad Group , Synectics, Thungela Resources Limited NPV (DI), Uniphar (CDI), Vesuvius, Wickes Group

Q1

Nokia OYJ