IT IS back to business after the Christmas break, but the key economic indicator out this week is unlikely to provide an upbeat start to the new year.
Live register figures for December are due to be released by the CSO on Friday and, given the level of job losses announced in the closing months of 2008, the figures are unlikely to spread much good cheer.
In the UK, the spotlight on Thursday will be on the Bank of England which will announce its interest rate decision. Economists expect that a further cut is likely.
Monday
Results: Dynatronics; Ondine Biopharma; Piedmont Natural Gas.
Indicators: US construction spending (November) and new motor vehicle sales (December); Japanese new car registrations (December).
Tuesday
Results: Acuity Brands; Aeon; Global Payments; Neogen; SMSC
Meetings: IDA Ireland's end-of- year-statement 2008 launched by chief executive Barry O'Leary.
Indicators: Irish meat supply balance (2007) and overseas travel (October); UK nationwide housing prices (December); US factory orders (November), ISM services (December) and pending home sales (November).
Others: trading updates from CRH, Debenhams and Next.
Wednesday
Results: Bed, Bath and Beyond; Christopher and Banks; Monsanto; Sonic; Supervalu; Synnex.
Indicators:US crude inventories and MBA mortgage applications survey.
Others:Trading update from Domino's Pizza (Britain and Ireland) and Marks and Spencer.
Thursday
Results: Apollo; Chevron; Robbin and Meyers; Sport Media.
Indicators:Irish foreign nationals: PPSN allocations and employment (2007), consumer prices: biannual average price analysis - Dublin and outside Dublin (November); industrial production and turnover (November); US initial claims, consumer credit (November) and money supply; BoE interest rate decision.
Friday
Results:KB Home.
Indicators:Irish live register (December); US work week, hourly earnings, non-farm payrolls and unemployment rate (December) and wholesale inventories (November); UK purchasing performance indicators (December); French trade balance (November); Canadian labour force survey (December).
