Little matters to markets in the coming week except whether US interest rates are raised and by how much. The US Federal Open Market Committee meets tomorrow and on Wednesday to deliberate on US interest rates and is expected to raise them by 25 basis points.
The Fed funds rate is currently at 4.75 per cent, after three rate cuts last year.
Aside from the Fed, questions will remain about prospects for further interest rate hikes. US data, such as June consumer confidence (tomorrow) and purchasing management and employment data on Friday, will be watched for signs of an overheating economy.
Monday
Results: Adare Printing, Beale (H1), Bord Gais, Europower, Hampson Industries, John Lusty Group, Remy Cointreau, Ward Holdings (H1).
A.G.M.: Dartmoor Inv Trust (e.g.m.), Mercury Euro Private, Northstar Secs (e.g.m.), Panther Secs (e.g.m.), Time Products.
Meetings: Heads of state from the European Union and Latin America meet for summit (Rio De Janeiro to Tues)
Indicators: EMU M3 data (May); US personal income/spending (May); Japanese industrial production (May); German import prices (May); French industry survey (Jun); Italian retail sales (Apr) and consumer prices (Jun).
Others: Newly-issued Deutsche Telekom shares begin trading in Frankfurt; Ruling German Social Democratic Party committee meets to discuss Finance Minister Hans Eichel's saving plans.
Tuesday
Results: Berkley Group, Farepak, Precoat, Provident Financial (H1), Smith (David S), Universal Salvage.
A.G.M.: Advanced Medical, Mercury Euro Private, Ockham Holdings, TI Group (e.g.m.), Umeco (e.g.m.), Whitbread (also e.g.m.).
Meetings: US Federal Reserve's open market committee meets (to Tues).
Indicators: Irish agricultural price indices (Apr); British consumer credit (May) and M4 data (May); US consumer confidence (Jun) and new home sales (May); Japanese unemployment (May), job ratio (May) and household spending (May); French housing starts (May); Italian producer prices (May).
Others: European Consumer Centre publishes "The Euro and You: A Consumer's Guide".
Wednesday
Results: British Biotech, Coral Products, FI Group, Nike (Q4), Peel Holdings, Ptarmigan Int Cap.
A.G.M.: Gieves Group (e.g.m.), Photo-Me International (e.g.m.), S.A. Breweries, Unidare (e.g.m.).
Meetings: Economists Group meeting in the Institute of European Affairs; World Economic Forum Central and Eastern European Economic Summit (Salzburg to Fri).
Indicators: Irish national income and expenditure data (Q1) and balance of payments (Q1); US leading indicators (May), Chicago purchasing managers' index (Jun) and New York Association of Purchasing Managers (Jun); Japanese housing starts (May) and construction orders (May); French unemployment (May); Italian GDP (Q1); Canadian real GDP (Apr).
Others: Closing date for receipt of applications for Telecom Eireann shares; Euro Changeover Board publishes first annual report; Italy's four-year macroeconomic plan to be approved by the government.
Thursday
Results: Interlek, Inter Link Foods, Jurys Hotel Group, Oglesby & Butler, Reg Vardy, Skillsgroup (H1), Somerfield.
A.G.M.: Edinburgh Investment Trust, Princedale Group, Shires Income.
Meetings: European Central Bank governing council meets.
Indicators: EMU purchasing managers' index (Jun); Irish construction sector earnings (Mar); British purchasing managers' index manufacturing survey (Jun) and CBI distributive trades survey (Jun); US National Association of Purchasing Managers (May), construction spending (May) and car figures (May); Japanese foreign reserves (Jun); Italian purchasing managers' index (Jun); French purchasing managers' index (Jun); German purchasing managers' index (Jun).
Others: Finland take sover rotating six-month presidency of the EU; European Commission President-designate Mr Romano Prodi to speak on the need for further harmonisation of monetary policies worldwide at "Forex 99" (Milan).
Friday
Results: Stockbourne.
A.G.M.: Allied Domecq, Cable & Wireless, Hillsdown (e.g.m.), Incepta Group, Vosper Thornycroft, Wren.
Indicators: Irish industrial output (Mar) and employmnent (Jun); British official reserves (Jul); US unemployment (Jun), average hourly earnings (Jun), average working week (Jun) and factory orders (May); French produce prices (May).
