The British stock market, which has suffered a dizzying drop in the face of global economic woes over the past five days, will seek gains next week amid an interest rate decision from the Bank of England. The FTSE 100 ended the week at 4,838.09 points, down 4.13 percent compared with the previous Friday.
"After a bruising week in financial markets, impacted by some nasty economic surprises, the coming week should prove less eventful - if only because there are fewer releases," said Investec economist David Page.
Next Thursday, the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) will deliver its last interest rate decision, with most analysts expecting no change from the current record-low level of 0.50 percent.
"Central banks dominate the outlook with decisions due from the MPC, the European Central Bank and the Reserve Bank of Australia," added Page.
"We expect no policy changes from any of them, but markets will focus on the ECB press conference with Europe still the dark heart of financial markets' fears."
Stock markets in Europe and the United States suffered sharp losses this week as ominous downbeat economic data, in China and the United States, while renewed jitters over Spain's finances put investors in a selling mood.
Aside from monetary policy decisions next week, investors will also focus Wednesday on a trading update from major British clothing-to-food retailer Marks and Spencer.
On the economic data front, Britain's Office for National Statistics will publish industrial production, producer prices and trade figures towards the end of the week.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.