London Report: Economic data puts focus on UK housing market and growth
ECONOMIC data out this week is set to shine a light on the UK’s steady return to health after the recession.
The Office for National Statistics will tomorrow release April’s manufacturing data, which is forecast to show a 0.3 per cent rise in output. Construction output data – also likely to show a rise for April – will be released on Thursday. On Wednesday unemployment figures will give a fuller picture of the jobs market.
The Rics housing survey is also due to be released on Thursday, revealing the state of the housing market, and on Friday Standard & Poor’s and Fitch will decide on the UK’s credit rating.
The corporate calendar has highlights starting tomorrow with reports from City of London Group, Oxford Instruments, Spirit Pub Company and Ted Baker. Wednesday’s big names include Betfair, Flybe Group, J Sainsbury, MoneySupermarket.com and WH Smith. Thursday’s reports will include those of WS Atkins, Boohoo.com, Home Retail Group, Laura Ashley, Mulberry, Pets At Home and PZ Cussons.