CPI catches up on prices

Inflation figures this Friday are unlikely to make pretty reading. The impact of mortgage rate increases and rising oil prices which occurred too late to be reflected in the September data will register this time and will push the annual rate up to about 6.5 per cent. From the point of view of the Government and the social partners, the hope is that this will represent the peak and that inflation will slowly subside thereafter, with help from a slightly stronger euro and falling oil prices.

Baltimore Technologies: High research and development and marketing costs are expected to lead to wider third quarter losses at software group Baltimore Technologies on Wednesday. Pre-tax losses are forecast to come in at around €36.5 million, against €14.6 million losses last time, although sales are expected to have increased threefold. Of particular interest will be a progress report on the integration of the recently acquired British e-security software business Content Technologies.

Monday

Results: British Airways (H1), Carphone Warehouse (H1), Statoil (Q3).

Meetings: 27th ICOS national conference (Burlington Hotel, Dublin to Tues); European Movement president's lunch addressed by Taoiseach Mr Ahern on "Shaping an New Union: An Irish Contribution" (Dublin Castle); Marketing in Action seminar on e-marketing the Media (Sugar Club, Dublin).

Indicators: EMU composite purchasing managers' index (Sep); British industrial production (Sep) and manufacturing output (Sep); Japanese leading indicators (Sep); German wholesale sales (Sep) and manufacturing new orders (Sep).

Others: Tanaiste Ms Harney opens FAS job unit for asylum seekers in Dublin; Millennium Product Award winners visit Dublin to showcase British innovation (Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin).

Tuesday

Results: BP Amoco (Q3), Colt Telecom (H1), First Group (H1), GWR Group (H1), Kvaerner (Q3), Maelor (H1), Marks & Spencer (H1), Ryanair (H1).

Meetings: Ecofin meeting (Brussels); Marketing Society meeting addressed by Alan Rosenspan (Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin).

Indicators: EMU unemployment (Sep) and GDP (Q2), producer prices (Sep), business survey (Oct), consumer survey (Oct) and economic sentiment (Oct); US consumer credit (Sep); French consumer confidence (Oct); German unemployment (Oct) and industrial production (Sep).

Others: Mason Hayes & Curran/Sanders & Sidney O'Shea host mock unfair dismissal hearing for human resource managers (Law Society, Dublin); Ireland Egypt Business Association founding (An Bord Bia, Dublin); Official opening of Geest Line Drogheda-Rotterdam containerised transport route (Drogheda).

Wednesday

Results: Associated British Foods (H1), Baltimore Technologies (Q3), Bookham Technology (Q3), British Energy (H1), Cap Gemini (Q3), CGNU (H1), Electrocomponents (H1), Fenner, Linde (Q3), Polo Ralph Lauren (Q2), Thus (H1), Trelleborg (Q3), Usinor (Q3), Volex Group (H1).

A.G.M.: CPL Resources, JOS Holdings.

Meetings: Conference on "Redefining Roles and Relationships - Our Society in the New Millennium" (West Country Hotel, Ennis to Fri); Seminar on employee wellbeing (Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire).

Indicators: US import/export prices (Oct) and wholesale trade (Sep); Japanese wholesale prices (Oct); French official reserves (Oct).

Thursday

Results: Aegon (Q3), BASF (Q3), BT (H1), Capital Radio, France Telecom (Q3), Hochtief (Q3), P&O Princess (Q3), Royal & Sun Alliance (Q3), SAS (Q3), Scottish Power (H1), Tate & Lyle (H1), Telia (Q3), Yates Group (H1).

A.G.M.: Diageo (e.g.m.), Frank Usher.

Meetings: Plan EXPO (RDS to Sat); Dublin Chamber of Commerce breakfast with address from Iona's Dr Chris Horn; Irish Direct Marketing Association annual congress 2000 (Burlington Hotel, Dublin to Fri).

Indicators: Irish non-EU trade (Sep); US producer price index (Oct) and Chicago Federal Index (Sep); German consumer prices (Oct).

Friday

Results: Express Dairies (H1).

Meetings: IBEC audiovisual federation seminar (Berkeley Court Hotel, Dublin).

Indicators: Irish consumer prices (Oct); German current account (Sep) and trade balance (Sep); US Michigan Sentiment Survey (Nov).

Others: US Veterans' Day public holiday; Institute of Certified Public Accountants annual dinner.