Prospects on interest rates at home and abroad will be the focus of attention this week with a meeting of Britain's monetary policy committee on Wednesday and Thursday and Irish credit data for April due out, also on Thursday. While the Bank of England group seems unlikely to cut interest rates this month, the feeling is growing that British rates' next move will be downwards. In Ireland, the Central bank figures will highlight once again the irony of our success in joining the euro club. While al the indications are that interest rates should yet be rising, Bank chiefs are facing the stark fact that the best they can do is delay the inevitable and hope for more propitious times ahead before the turn of the year. The dilemma is that every passing month reduces their room for manoeuvre in determining the least dangerous moment to reduce rates and bring them into line with Europe, even if European rates look set to rise somewhat over the coming year.
Boots: Boots, one of Britain's oldest retailers, will report on the state of its corporate health (and wealth) on Thursday.
Wise Speke has said it expects pre-tax profits of £550 million sterling, down from £571 million because of expansion costs - including the development of the Irish side of the business which involved, among other things, the takeover of the Hayes Conyngham Robinson chain of chemists - and the effects of the fire at its giant Nottingham warehouse last year.
Also of interest will be hints on who may take over from current chief executive Lord Blyth, tipped to be heading to NatWest, and investors will not want to see the signs of boardroom disagreement evident at Marks & Spencer.
Monday
Results: Columbus Group, First Group, South Staffs Water, Ultraframe (H1), Wainhomes (H1).
A.G.M.: Andrew Sykes (e.g.m.), Brands Hatch Leisure, Davenport Knitwear (e.g.m.), Flying Flowers (e.g.m.), Forminster, Kynoch Group, Perry Group, Stag Group.
Indicators: British money supply (May) and purchasing managers' index (May); US NAPM (May) and construction expenditure (Apr).
Others: Irish markets closed for bank holiday.
Tuesday
Results: Apollo Metals (H1), Character Group (H1), De La Rue, Eurocamp Landround (H1), Filofax Group, Greencore (H1), MEPC (H1), National Grid, Oxford Instruments, Siebe, Thames Water, Usher of Trowbridge (H1), Vocalis Group, Vodafone Group.
A.G.M.: James Beattie, Bentalls, Brammer, Emerald Energy, House of Fraser, Jarvis (e.g.m.), Oasis Stores, Singer & Friedlander, Swan Hill, Trafficmaster.
Meetings: European Central Bank board holds its first meeting; First USA-Ireland Fund conference (Dublin Castle to Thurs); Central Bank governor, Mr Maurice O'Connell, addresses Oireachtas joint committee.
Indicators: US leading indicators (Apr), new homes sales and LRJ Redbook.
Others: Survey on North-South investment postagreement published.
Wednesday
Results: Asset Management (H1), Blick (H1), Bristol United Press, Caffyns, Evans of Leeds, Heals (H1), Lookers Group (H1), Morland (H1), NFC (H1), Shanks & McEwan Group, United Drug (H1).
A.G.M.: Arlen, Bilston & Battersea, Booker, Cairngorm BS (1-10), Carbo, Fairbriar, Foreign & Col Pacific, Gieves Group, Glencar, Havelock Europa, Highcroft Inv, London & Assoc Prop, Safestore (e.g.m.), Silvermines Group.
Meetings: Bank of England monetary policy committee meeting.
Indicators: Irish Exchequer Borrowing Requirement (May); Dutch GDP (Q1).
Thursday
Results: 3i Group, Airsprung Furniture, Boots, BTG, Capital Gearing Trust, Guinness Flight Extra Inc (H1), Luminar, Pilkington, Powell Duffryn, Sedgemoor, Solvera, Southern Electric.
A.G.M.: Ayeshire Metal Products, Caird, Dencora, Spring Ram, Turke Trust (e.g.m.), Vickers (e.g.m.), Volkswagen.
Meetings: President, Mrs McAleese attends North-South Chamber of Commerce meeting (Abberly Court Hotel, Tallaght); First meeting of European 11 Committee (which will monitor euro members).
Indicators: Irish credit figures (Apr); Bank of England monetary policy committee result on interest rates; US weekly jobless claims; French GDP (Q1).
Others: The President, Mrs McAleese launches Revenue Commissioners book to mark 75th anniversary (Dublin Castle).
Friday
Results: Bandt.
A.G.M.: ASW Holdings, Blue Circle Industries, Cairn Energy, F&C German Inv Trust (e.g.m.), Lopex (e.g.m.), Martin International Holdings, Metaltech International, NSB Retail Systems (e.g.m.), Portmeiron Potteries, Sutcliffe Speakman (e.g.m.), Taylor Woodrow, Templeton Latin, Toye & Company.
Indicators: US unemployment (May).
