Investors on the London Stock Exchange are next week to take stock of British public finances and prospects for monetary policy. The London FTSE 100 index, after an indecisive five sessions, ended the week on Friday with a gain of 0.12 percent at 5,508.45 points compared to the close on September 10.
Sentiment was unsettled as investors confronted lingering uncertainties plaguing the global economic recovery.
Trading was nervous and choppy, with the index soaring at one point on Friday to its highest reading in four and a half months before sliding back in the face of losses on Wall Street. Analysts are predicting another week of featureless trading.
Investors will get a look at the state of British public finances on Tuesday, notably the scope of the public deficit.
They will also be paying close attention to minutes from the last meeting of policymakers at the Bank of England, which are to be released on Wednesday.
The session produced no major shifts in policy but investors will want to see if bank member Andrew Sentance, who since June has been advocating tighter credit conditions, has attracted any followers.
In corporate news, Imperial Tobacco and the investment fund 3i will issue reports on their financial activities.
The market could also digest commentary from a commission asked by the government to consider the possible separation of retail and investment banking activities.
The commission is scheduled to report its findings a year from now but on Friday is expected to outline its operating plan.
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