THE WEEK AHEAD in association with GFT
COMPANIES
● Today, Michael Page International delivers its second quarter trading update. The company was formed in 1976 by Michael Page and Bill McGregor.
● On Wednesday, Sainsbury holds its AGM. On the same day Marks & Spencer will report. It will be hoping for not just ordinary results, but…
● Also on Wednesday, J D Wetherspoon will give a pre close trading update. It will be hoping to give a smashing outlook.
● On Thursday, Asos and Mothercare deliver first quarter trading statements. Both are planning to profit from growing overseas demand.
ECONOMICS
● On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its decision on rates. It is expected to keep them at 0.1 per cent, even though this has failed to boost Japan’s ailing economy. Germany will also report on CPI inflation tomorrow.
● On Wednesday, the UK’s ILO unemployment rate and claimant count change will be released. Statistics on average earnings including bonuses will also come out, significant in an inflationary environment.
● Over in the US, chairman of the Fed Ben Bernanke will deliver his press conference on Wednesday. It will be fascinating to see if he is wearing his dove or hawk hat – or both.
POLITICS
● Today and tomorrow, the Eurogroup and Economic and Finance Ministers Council meets. Greece will be on the agenda – officials will hope to avoid slip-ups.
● On Tuesday, the energy secretary Chris Huhne will publish a white paper on the reform of Britain’s electricity market. Following the plan for a carbon floor price, don’t expect too many bright ideas.
● On Friday, the Proms will start. They began as a private enterprise to bring classical music to the masses, started in 1895 by impresario Robert Newman. Given the state of the economy, Land of Hope and Glory might be a bit premature.