Interest rates come up for discussion in both Britain and the euro zone in the first full week of business in 2005.
Neither is seen as likely to raise rates this time around, with previous rises in Britain seen as putting a brake on the economy and the euro zone still struggling for growth. On the corporate front, it is quiet domestically aside from a Kingspan trading statement.
Monday
Results: Alcoa (Q4), Genentech (Q4), Nortel Networks (Q4), Pace Micro (H1).
Meetings: ECB president Mr Jean-Claude Trichet, who chairs the Group of 10, holds a news conference on the global economic outlook after a meeting of central bank governors from major industrial and developing countries (Basel).
Indicators: US wholesale inventories (Nov); British producer prices (Dec); German trade balance (Nov).
Others: Shannon Development publishes 2004 statement.
Tuesday
Results: CanWest Global Communications (Q1), M&T Bank (Q4), Northgate (H1), Parkdean Holidays.
Meetings: Elan addresses JP Morgan 23rd Annual Healthcare Conference.
Indicators: Irish unemployment (Dec), non-EU trade (Nov) and industrial production and turnover (Nov); US consumer sentiment (Jan); German ZEW index (Jan); French trade balance (Nov) and industrial production (Nov).
Others: Irish Stock Exchange end-of-year review.
Wednesday
Results: Apple Computer (Q1), Bang & Olufsen (Q2), Dixons (H1).
Meetings: Bank of England monetary policy committee meets.
Indicators: Irish employment and earnings in banking, insurance and building societies (Q3); US international trade (Nov) and federal budget (Dec); British trade balance (Nov) and non-EU trade (Nov); Japanese current account and trade (Nov).
Others: Trading statement from Kingspan.
Thursday
Results: Delhaize.
Meetings: European Central Bank governing council meets .
Indicators: Irish household travel survey (Q3); US retail sales (Dec) and import/export prices (Dec); British industrial production (Nov) and manufacturing production (Nov); German GDP (Q4); French consumer prices (Dec).
Others: Bank of England's monetary policy committee announces decision on interest rates.
Friday
Results: Seb, SGS, Südzucker (Q3), Sun Microsystems (Q2).
Meetings: ECB president Mr Jean-Claude Trichet addresses European American Press Club.
Indicators: US producer prices (Dec), business inventories (Nov), industrial production (Dec) and capacity utilisation (Dec); German consumer prices (Dec) and wholesale prices (Dec); Japanese industrial production and machinery orders (Nov).
