London investors await British growth data

21 Nov, 2011

British growth data and fresh developments in the eurozone debt crisis are expected to be key influences on London stock market trading next week. London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares closed at 5,362.94 points on Friday, down 3.29 percent from a week earlier, as the British stock market was hit by fears of debt contagion.
Next Thursday, the Office for National Statistics publishes its second estimate of British economic growth for the third quarter of 2011. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.5 percent between July and September, according to the first estimate.
However, the economic outlook darkened this week after data showed one million young people out of work for the first time and as the Bank of England slashed its growth forecasts fearing more eurozone woes.
"We expect to see Q3 GDP unchanged," said Investec economist Victoria Cadman.
"Looking beyond the third quarter, we remain nervous about the outlook for the fourth quarter, given the sharp slump in October's manufacturing PMI accompanied by the ever more serious headwinds of the euro area crisis," she added.
Other major British data due next week will include public finances figures on Tuesday, while the Bank of England will publish minutes from its last monetary policy meeting on Wednesday.
Next week also sees the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) hold its annual conference on Monday, while on the earnings front, catering group Compass and travel firm Thomas Cook publish annual earnings on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

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