What you need to know before the open
European markets are set to open lower this morning, following Asian counterparts, as investors await with caution for events in Ukraine to unfold.
Yesterday, anti-Kiev rebels declared victory in a referendum on self-rule in eastern Ukraine. Western leaders are threatening further sanctions around energy and the financial services, if Moscow moves to disrupt the planned presidential election later this month.
This week, Chinese retail and industrial numbers will be in close focus. Here, we’ve got the Bank of England’s inflation report out on Wednesday, along with unemployment and earnings data.
Corporate news
BSkyB has confirmed that it’s in talks over buying 21st Century Fox’s controlling interests in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia.
Capita says it’s making strong progress so far this year, with £1.1bn go new sales wins made, including contracts with Transport for London, John Lewis and the Ministry of Defence.
Just Retirement has said that, since the Budget, activity levels have plummeted almost 50 per cent, with demand for annuities falling. On the back of that, it’s announced a group re-organisation.
And Babcock and Carillion say they’ve been selected as preferred partners by Network Rail to deliver around £200m and £100m of track renewal work respectively, over a five-year period.
Data in focus
- 8.15am: Switzerland March retail sales
- 5.00pm: US Philadelphia Fed’s Plosser speech
- 7.00pm: US April monthly budget statement