Germany's economic activity is expected to show little change when Munich's Ifo Institute releases its business climate index results for March on Friday.
Barclays said it anticipates the index, an indicator for business activity in the country's economy, to reflect a consolidation of past gains and moderate growth.
"The assessment of the current situation may improve somewhat further, while expectations of future business activity could moderate slightly," the bank said in a statement.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
The data comes a day after a Markit Economics revealed its results for Germany's purchasing managers' index (PMI), which showed a contraction in the country's business activity.
Germany's composite output index fell to 51 in March from 53.3 in February, the lowest reading in three months.
Marginal falls in new orders in manufacturing and service sectors were indicted in March.
Average prices charged by German private sector companies increased for the sixth consecutive month in March. However, the pace of inflation was only marginal, and eased to its weakest so far in 2013.
Employment numbers rose at the most marked pace since January 2012, led by a stronger increase in the service sector and a slight rebound at manufacturers.
"We look forward to tomorrow's release of national IFO and [National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies] surveys to see whether they will confirm the weakening picture drawn by today's PMIs," Barclays added.
Last month's business climate indicator for the German service sector rose for the third time in succession.
Friday March 22nd
INTERIMS
Imperial Innovations Group, Produce Investment
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Rank Group, SSE, Standard Life Equity Income Trust
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Bank of America Corp., Virgin Media Inc.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)
IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)
IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)
GMS
Banco Santander SA, Goldplat
FINALS
Judges Scientific, Moss Bros Group, OJSC Magnit GDR (Reg S), Phoenix Group Holdings (DI), Songbird Estates, Tawa
ANNUAL REPORT
Meggitt
AGMS
Banco Santander SA, Elephant Capital, eServGlobal Ltd., Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund GDRS, Santander 10te%, SK Telecom Co Ltd. ADS
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Euromoney Institutional Investor
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Brunner Inv Trust, Catlin Group Ltd., easyJet, LPA Group, Silverdell
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Jardine Strategic Holdingd Ltd. (Singapore)
RD
-
UK-US trade deal announced: US cuts tariffs on UK car imports to 10%Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have announced a UK-US trade deal, but the US president has refused to lift baseline tariffs on most UK goods. What does it mean for the UK?
-
How to use mid-caps to diversify from the USMedium sized companies are overlooked by investors but could offer an attractive ‘sweet spot’. We consider the case for mid-caps amid market volatility.
