Week ahead: US inflation reading, ECB policy announcement due
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Friday 04 Sep 2026
(Sharecast News) - All eyes will be on the latest policy announcement from the European Central Bank next week, as well as a key US inflation reading.
On Monday, investors will turn their attention full-year results from Ashmore and half-year results from Standard Life. German industrial production figures for July will also be released, along with eurozone second-quarter GDP data.
Tuesday will bring full-year results from homeware retailer Dunelm and half-year results from Computacenter. On the macro front, Chinese trade figures August and German trade data for July will be out, while in the UK, the Lloyds house price index for August will be released.
On Wednesday, full-year results from Frontier Developments will be in focus.
Thursday sees the release of full-year results from Genus and trading updates from Primark owner Associated British Foods and Currys. Across the pond, quarterly results are due from Adobe.
As far as AB Foods is concerned, AJ Bell analysts Russ Mould and Danni Hewson said that after a challenging year, investors will be hoping for a sprinkling of good news driven by a boost in late summer clothing sales and the approval of the Hovis acquisition.
"Whether Primark's recent UK price reductions have translated into positive like-for-like sales growth will be a key area of focus," they said. "Adding Hovis to its Kingsmill, Sunblest and Allinson's brands in its bread division is expected to bake in some substantial efficiency gains from 2027.
"The demerger of Primark by the end of 2027 represents a monumental shift in strategy for the controlling Weston family. It is likely to be a key test of market scepticism on whether Primark can command a premium valuation as a standalone entity or, like its wares, whether it will trade at a discount."
Investors will also eye the latest policy announcement from the European Central Bank. Danske Bank expects the ECB to raise policy rates by 25 basis points, bringing the deposit rate to 2.50%, in line with consensus and market pricing.
"We expect Lagarde to retain full optionality over the future rate path and provide no firm guidance, limiting the market reaction," it said. "The new staff projections are likely to send mixed signals, while scenarios for core inflation could prove dovish."
On Friday, UK GDP, industrial production and manufacturing production figures will be out, while in the US, the consumer price index for August is due. The US inflation reading will follow a blowout non-farm payrolls report.
Figures out on Friday 4 September showed the US added 162,000 jobs in August, well above market expectations, with an additional 55,000 of upward revisions to the past two months.
ING said: "With Fed Chair Kevin Warsh describing the US at full employment, this outcome has nudged expectations of a September rate hike higher, but the final decision hangs on next Friday's inflation print."
On the US corporate front, results from Kroger will be in focus.
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