Friday preview: Lots of economic data to digest

Friday is set to be a pretty quiet day on the corporate front in London as the markets begin to wind down for Christmas. However, there'll be plenty of economic indicators out for investors to digest.

First, the Gfk consumer confidence survey in the UK is expected to decline from -22 to -25 in December, while Germany's forward-looking consumer confidence is expected to stay at 5.9 for January.

Around 09:30 in London will see the release of the final reading of UK third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) figures. Initial estimates showed that the economy expanded by 1.0% in the three months to the end of September; the final reading is expected to remain unchanged.

Stateside, figures are expected to show that personal income rose by 0.3% in November (0% change in October) and personal spending increased by 0.4% (-0.2% previously).

Meanwhile, the University of Michigan confidence survey is forecast for a slight rise from 74.5 to 75 in December.

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Establishment Inv Trust, Invensys, Investment Company, MS International, Tesco

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BP, Molex Inc., Molex Inc. 'A' Shares

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

Personal Income (US) (13:30)

Personal Spending (US) (13:30)

U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (15:00)

GMS

Monitise, Skyepharma

EGMS

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

AGMS

Berkeley Mineral Resources, Ludgate Environmental Fund Ltd., Mining Investments Resources, Norseman Gold, Nova Resources Limited (DI), Zambeef Products

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Payments (09:30)

Current Account (09:30)

GDP (quarterly national accounts) (09:30)

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Index of Services (09:30)

Public Sector Finances (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

CVS Group, Dunelm Group, Hornby, JPMorgan Japanese Inv Trust, Northern Venture Trust, St Ives, Standard Life Equity Income Trust

BC