Currencies eye rates

Once again rates are going to be the focus of attention this week especially in the light of the changing balance between the dollar and the euro. Favourable employment and trade data at the end of last week reduced the likelihood of any change in US rates when the Fed next meets at the end of the month.

In Europe, on the other hand, the consensus is that the European Central Bank will opt for a 25 basis point rise to curb inflationary risks. Such a move is likely to push money back into the euro, strengthening the currency.

Monday

Results: BAA, Fountain (H1), Mid Kent Holdings (H1), Sanctuary (H1), Severn Trent, Umeco, Unigate.

Meetings: Ecofin meeting (Luxembourg); European Investment Bank annual meeting (Luxembourg); Bank for International Settlements annual meeting (Basle).

Indicators: EMU services sector survey (May); British M0 money supply (May); US National Association of Purchasing Managers Index non-manufacturing (May); German consumer prices (May); Japanese leading indicators (Apr).

Others: Bank holiday in Ireland.

Tuesday

Results: Anglian Group, Campbell Bewley, Carlsberg (H1), Focus Solutions, Great Portland Estates, Jarvis Hotels, Jennings (H1), Kelda, Leeds Group (H1), London Clubs International, Merant, Christian Salvesen, Securicor (H1), SSL International, Stromsdal (H1), Synstar (H1), Volex.

Meetings: Bank of England monetary policy committee (to Wed); First Tuesday meeting (Vicar St, Dublin); Conference hosted by Central Bank and addressed by Croatian economy minister and Croatian ambassador (central Bank plaza, Dublin); Dublin Chamber of Commerce addressed by Mr Michael Buckley, managing director of AIB's Polish division (Jurys Hotel, Dublin).

Indicators: EMU business confidence (May), consumer confidence (May) and unemployment (Apr); German wholesale sales (Apr); French consumer confidence (May); US productivity (Q1), wholesale trade (Apr) and unit labour cost (Q1).

Others: Law Society publishes The Small Claims Court: A Consumer's Guide; Ireland Netinvest.com begins trading on AIM.

Wednesday

Results: Ahold (Q), Blick (H1), BTG, Chapelthorpe, Expro International, Kesko (H1), Kewill Systems, Lonmin (H1), Wyndeham Press.

Meetings: Montgomery Oppenheim investment conference (RDS, Dublin); Index Insights seminar (Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin); OgilvyInteractive annual conference (Radisson SAS Hotel, Dublin to Fri).

Indicators: EMU producer price index (Apr) and retail sales (Mar); Irish Quarterly National Household Survey (Q1); British industrial production (May); German manufacturing orders (May); US consumer credit (Apr); Japanese wholesale prices (May).

Others: Irish Stock Exchange opens business on its new electronic trading system; Bank of England monetary policy committee announces decision on interest rates; UTV unveils all-Ireland Internet service; European Commission opens innovation and enterprise roadshow.

Thursday

Results: Antofagasta (H1), Avesco, Bioglan Pharma (H1), Comino, Christie (H1), Daily Mail (H1), European Colour, Gieves & Hawkes (H1), Great Universal Stores, Johnson Matthey, Kewill Systems, ED & F Man, Oasis Stores (H1), Signet (Q1), Tate & Lyle, Young & Co's Brewery.

Meetings: European Central Bank council meeting; Centre for European Policy Studies holds meeting on "The Role of the European Parliament in the Management of EMU" (Brussels);' Experian Ireland annual lunch addressed by Collector General Mr Liam Irwin.

Indicators: German unemployment (May) and industrial production (May); British construction data (Apr); US import/exports (May); Japanese GDP (Q1).

Friday

Results: Baldwins Industrial Services, Finnair (Q2), VA Stahl, Tadpole Technology (H1).

A.G.M.: Dewhirst, Martin International, Mowlem (e.g.m.), Sibir Energy (G/E).

Meetings: Franco-German half-yearly summit (Mainz).

Indicators: EMU GDP (Q1), earnings (Q4) and labour cost (Q4); Irish live register area analysis (May) and vehicle registrations (Feb); US producer prices (May).

Others: Taoiseach Mr Ahern launches National Centre for Partnership report on Social Partnership in Ireland; Taoiseach Mr Ahern at Community Initiative Awards 2000 (St Vincent's GAA, Marino, Dublin).