Wednesday preview: Iran, Ukraine, Global PMIs in focus

(Sharecast News) - Financial markets' focus in the middle of the week will be on geopolitics, with top level officials from the US, Ukraine and Europe set to meet in London. The aim will be to try and agree on a common ceasefire proposal to then present to the Kremlin.

In parallel, the US and Iran will hold 'expert level' talks, in an attempt to defuse the threat to regional stability on account of Tehran's nuclear programme.

Against that backdrop, at 0800 GMT S&P Global will release the result of its Purchasing Managers' Indices for April in the euro area covering manufacturing and services.

Comparable surveys for the UK and US will follow at 0830 GMT and 1345 GMT, respectively.

Earlier, at 0600 GMT, ONS will publish UK public sector net borrowing data for the month of March.

Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill will deliver a speech at 1030 GMT.

He will be followed by BoE Governor Andrew Bailey at 1715 GMT.

Wednesday 23 April

INTERIMS

AB Dynamics, Ten Lifestyle Group

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (EU) (10:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)

PMI Composite (EU) (09:00)

PMI Composite (GER) (08:30)

PMI Composite (US) (14:45)

PMI Manufacturing (GER) (08:30)

PMI Manufacturing (EU) (09:00)

PMI Manufacturing (US) (14:45)

PMI Services (EU) (09:00)

PMI Services (GER) (08:30)

PMI Services (US) (14:45)

FINALS

Finseta, Gresham House Energy Storage Fund, Northcoders Group

EGMS

Secure Property Development & Investment (DI)

AGMS

AFC Energy, Bellevue Healthcare Trust (Red), Bunzl, Entain, NATWEST GROUP, Nichols, Smithson Investment Trust

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Quilter

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

PMI Composite (09:30)

PMI Manufacturing (09:30)

PMI Services (09:30)

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd Com Shs (DI)

Q1

PensionBee Group