ECB debates rate move

Pressure is growing on the European Central Bank to cut rates at its meeting this week and the euro gained ground at the end of last week on indications that it might do so. Opinion is divided on whether the ECB will hold off until its April meeting.

Elsewhere market-watching will continue as the sport of the moment after the drama of the past fortnight.

MONDAY

Results: Alexon Group, Ashtenne Holdings, British Polythene Industries, Cimpor, Forth Ports, Galliford Treasury (H1), KPN, Melrose Resources, Tempus, T&S Stores, Ulster Television, Wellington Holdings.

A.G.M.: Cyberchina Holdings, Exel, Govett Emerging Market IT (e.g.m.), Manpower Software (e.g.m.), Temple Bar IT.

Meetings: Wall St Analysts' Forum's 2001 conference (New York to Wed); Network 2001 (Radisson Hotel, Limavady).

Indicators: EMU monetary data (Feb); British current account (Q4) and GDP (Q4); US homes sales data (Feb); Italian trade balance (Jan), EU trade (Jan) and non-EU trade (Feb).

Others: Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce Mr Noel Treacy introduces Enterprise Ireland's informatics research initiative.

TUESDAY

Results: AFA Systems, AGA Foodservice, Arcolectric, Eni, Gleeson (MJ) Group (H1), Icon (Q3), QS Group, Sherry FitzGerlad, Wilink.com.

A.G.M.: British Bloodstock (e.g.m.), Pennine Downing Ethical, Power Leisure, Xaar.

Meetings: Second Finance Dublin conference studies Ireland's regulatory framework for financial services and the IFSC (to Wed).

Indicators: British Internet access (Q4); US durable goods orders (Feb); French housing starts (Feb); Italian unemployment (Feb).

WEDNESDAY

Results: Advanced Medical Solutions, Aero Inventory (H1), AG Barr, Arnotts, Barratt Developments (H1), Bloomsbury Publishing, Bouygues, CGIP, House of Fraser, James Halstead (H1), Maiden, McInerney, NRX Global Corp, Rage Software (H1), Signet, Stadium Group, Sunderland (H1), Surgical Innovations Group.

A.G.M.: Ericsson, Irish Continental Group, Seacon Holdings, Scottish American Inv, Wind.

Meetings: Seminar on corporate e-focus exchange (Worldport, Dublin).

Others: Central Bank publishes spring bulletin; Goodbody rolls out online sharedealing service.

THURSDAY

Results: Bank Austria, Clarins, Goshawk, Hanover International, Hardy Underwriting, Intelligent Environments, Lagardere, Philips (Q1), Quantica, Redbus Interhouse, Tardis Transcom, Weston Medical Group.

A.G.M.: Britannic Smaller, Charter European Trust, Nightfreight, Philips.

Meetings: ECB governing council meets (Frankfurt); Guest lecture by Wharton School Prof George S day on "The Shakeout in the New Economy" (Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, Dublin); Seminar on "Twenty Questions on Improving Profitability" (Institution of Engineers, Dublin); Conference on "Harnessing Internet Technology - Creating Agile Organisations" (Burlington Hotel, Dublin).

Indicators: British consumer credit (Feb); US GDP (Q4) and corporate profits (Q4); French industry survey (Mar) and business confidence (Mar); Italian producer prices (Feb).

Others: Rehab launches its Great Investment Race.

FRIDAY

Results: Guiton Group, Leeds Sporting (H1), Miller Fisher Group, Sopheon, Television Corporation.

A.G.M.: CW Residential, Downtex, Omnitel (e.g.m.).

Meetings: Twice-yearly meeting of French and German finance ministers and central bankers (Rouen).

Indicators: Irish private sector borrowing (Dec); British consumer confidence (Feb); US personal income (Feb); French unemployment (Feb) and producer prices (Feb).

Others: Insurance ombudsman publishes annual report.