LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - The focus on Thursday will be on the European Central Bank as it publishes the minutes of its last monetary policy meeting, former President Mario Draghi's last at the head of the Governing Council, at 1230 GMT.


In particular, market participants will be looking for further clues into the degree of consensus on the GC around its most recently announced stimulus package.

Against that backdrop, ECB vice-President, Luis de Guindos, is due to deliver a speech at 0940 GMT, followed by another at 1830 GMT, at an event marking the 20th anniversary of Bolsamania.com, Sharecast's sister website in Spain.

Stateside meanwhile, the Federal Reserve bank of Philadelphia will publish the results of its regional manufacturing sector survey at 1330 GMT, followed by existing home sales data for October at 1500 GMT.

Back on home shores, public sector net borrowing figures for October are set for release at 0930.



United Utilities will be in the spotlight on the corporate front as it publishes its first half numbers.

Deutsche Bank's James Brand has penciled-in a 5.0% increase in operating profits for the period to reach £387.0m, for a 2.0% rise in earnings per share to 29.4p, while its dividend per share was seen ahead by 3.0% to 14.2p.

To take note of, Brand pointed out how the shares had recovered over the preceding month as nationalisation fears eased.

Nonetheless, the general elections on 12 December and regulator Ofwat's final regulatory determinations, on 16 December, which would set prices over 2020-25 were likely to overshadow the company's results, the analyst said.

"United Utilities is likely to want to wait until after the final determinations to give any clear views on the next regulatory period, although may comment further on how it sees itself positioned."

Thursday November 21

INTERIMS

Charles Stanley Group, CMC Markets, Dart Group, First Property Group, iEnergizer Ltd., Jlen Environmental Assets Group Limited NPV, Manolete Partners, Mitie Group, NewRiver REIT, Severn Trent, Syncona Limited NPV

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

CareTech Holding, Centrica

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI), British American Inv Trust, Castings, DCC, DWF Group , Great Portland Estates, iEnergizer Ltd., Prime People, Rotala, Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust, Tate & Lyle, Tatton Asset Management , Ten Entertainment Group , Wynnstay Properties, Young & Co's Brewery 'A' Shares, Young & Co's Brewery (Non-Voting)

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

M Winkworth

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

BlackRock World Mining Trust, Carnival, NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD), Premier Global Infrastructure Trust, Regional REIT Limited

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Euromoney Institutional Investor, Residential Secure Income

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

BBA Aviation

AGMS

Avation, Close Brothers Group, Diurnal Group, Diurnal Group, Doric Nimrod Air One Ltd, Doric Nimrod Air Three Limited Red Ord Pref Shs Npv, Doric Nimrod Air Two Ltd Pref Shs Npv, Ferguson, Hotel Chocolat Group , Netcall, SQN Asset Finance Income Fund Limited, Thorpe (F.W.), Wetherspoon (J.D.)

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Centrica, Close Brothers Group, Knights Group Holdings

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Sector Net Borrowing (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Mulberry Group, North Atlantic Smaller Companies Inv Trust, Ricardo

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aeorema Communications, Asia Dragon Trust , Balfour Beatty Cum Cnv Red Prf , CVS Group, European Opportunities Trust, Finsbury Food Group, Hotel Chocolat Group , Kin and Carta , Northern Venture Trust, Sanditon Investment Trust, Tristel, Volution Group

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