LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Overseas, the focus at the end of the week will be on a raft of Chinese activity indicators for the month of December that are scheduled for release at 1000 GMT, including readings for monthly retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment.
Also due out is a reading on fourth quarter Chinese gross domestic product.

A preliminary reading on consumer confidence for the month of January in the States, from the University of Michigan, at 1500 GMT, could also move global financial markets.

At home, the Office for National Statistics will publish retail sales figures for December at 0930 GMT.

Services sector activity is also due out in Japan, with the country's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Economy due to publish a reading on tertiary sector activity in November.

In the background, South Korea's central bank is due to announce a decision on interest rates.



On Friday, it will be investors' turn to score Experian as the consumer credit checking specialist updates shareholders on its third quarter trading.

Deutsche Bank's Tom Sykes expects the company to post an approximately 8.0% jump in organic growth for the latest three-month stretch, even after the second quarter's 7.0% rise and tough comps for its US consumer business.

In particular, he highlighted the benefit to the firm's customer base in Consumer from the launch of Experian Boosts.

Sykes also called attention to the strong outlook for Experian's Brazil unit, although a dip in fourth quarter growth was a possibility due to the step-up in growth seen during the comparable year ago period.

Friday 17 January

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Babcock International Group, Charles Stanley Group, Halfords Group, IG Design Group, JPMorgan Euro Small Co. Trust, Morses Club , Octopus AIM VCT, Sirius Real Estate Ltd., United Carpets Group, Vertu Motors, VP

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Building Permits (US) (13:30)

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Consumer Price Index (EU) (10:00)

Current Account (EU) (09:00)

Housing Starts (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

U. of Michigan Confidence (Prelim) (US) (15:00)

Wholesale Price Index (GER) (07:00)

GMS

Futura Medical

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Ferrexpo, Octopus AIM VCT

AGMS

Character Group, Ixico, Kazera Global

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Gym Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retail Sales (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Cambria Automobiles, Northamber, Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies Trust

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