This week, all eyes are on the US jobs market, with Friday's non-farm payrolls report expected to be a key indicator of economic health.
The Department of Labor is forecast to announce that hiring slowed in July, with estimates suggesting a figure of 175,000 new jobs added. This would represent a dip from June's preliminary estimate of 206,000, although revisions to previous months' figures could have a significant impact on the overall picture. Average hourly earnings are expected to rise by 0.3%, providing insights into wage growth and inflationary pressures.
In the UK, no major economic data is due, but the Bank of England's chief economist, Huw Pill, will be delivering a speech at 1115 BST, offering valuable commentary on the current economic landscape.
On the international front, French and Italian industrial production data for June will be released at 0645 BST and 0800 BST respectively, providing insights into manufacturing activity in key European economies.
IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, will be releasing its interim results, with investors keenly focused on the carrier's outlook for summer 2024 and potential capital returns.
Analyst Jarrod Castle of UBS expects second quarter revenues to reach around â¬8.2 billion, compared to â¬7.7 billion in the same period last year. This is projected to yield a quarterly operating profit of â¬1.013 billion and net income of â¬673 million. While these figures represent a decline from the previous year's operating profit of â¬1.2 billion and net income of â¬1.0 billion, the focus will be on the company's future trajectory.
Here's a snapshot of key upcoming events:
Friday 02 August
Interims:
AIB Group (CDI)
Bluebird Merchant Ventures (DI)
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI)
Intertek Group
Interim Dividend Payment Date:
Heavitree Brewery
Heavitree Brewery 'A' Shares
Kitwave Group
Premier Miton Group
Quarterly Payment Date:
British American Tobacco
CT UK High Income Trust
CT UK High Income Trust B
I3 Energy
TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited
International Economic Announcements:
Factory Orders (US) (15:00)
Non-Farm Payrolls (US) (13:30)
Unemployment Rate (US) (13:30)
Q2:
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI)
Finals:
Eutelsat Communications S.A. (CDI)
Special Dividend Payment Date:
Record
AGMS:
Bluebird Merchant Ventures (DI)
Trading Announcements:
Pets at Home Group
Virgin Money UK
Final Dividend Payment Date:
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI)
Burberry Group
Bytes Technology Group
Discoverie Group
GB Group
Helical
Intermediate Capital Group
JPMorgan European Discovery Trust
Norcros
Record
Tate & Lyle
Vianet Group
Vodafone Group
Workspace Group
Young & Co's Brewery 'A' Shares
Young & Co's Brewery (Non-Voting)
This week's economic data releases and corporate announcements offer valuable insights into the state of the global economy, with particular focus on the US jobs market and its impact on both the UK and wider world. Stay tuned for updates as the week unfolds.