European Economic News

European Economics Preview: BoE Rate Decision In Focus

The Bank of England's interest rate decision is the major event due on Thursday. The bank is widely expected to keep its key rate steady and quantitative easing unchanged at GBP 375 billion.

At 3.00 am ET, Spain's industrial production for March is due. Production is expected to fall 5.3 percent annually in March, slower than the 6.5 percent drop in February.

In the meantime, the Czech Statistical Office is set to publish retail sales data for March. Economists forecast sales to fall 3 percent year-on-year in March, following a 4.7 percent drop in February.

At 4.30 am ET, the Office for National Statistics is scheduled to release U.K. industrial production figures. Industrial output is forecast to grow 0.2 percent month-on-month in March, following a 1 percent rise in February. At the same time, manufacturing output is seen rising 0.3 percent.

At 6.00 am ET, Ireland's inflation figures are due. Economists forecast EU harmonized inflation to rise to 0.8 percent in April from 0.6 percent in March.

At 7.00 am ET, the Bank of England is set to announce the outcome of monetary policy committee meeting. The nine-member board is expected to retain its key interest rate at record low 0.50 percent. The size of quantitative easing is seen unchanged at GBP 375 billion.

by RTTNews Staff Writer

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