THE ECB meets on Wednesday in Brussels and analysts expect interest rates to be cut by a further 50 basis points. This would bring the ECB rate down to 2.75 per cent, the lowest in more than two years.

The Bank of England meets on the same day and an interest rate cut of 1 per cent is anticipated.

MONDAY

Results: Aberdeen Asset Management

Indicators: EU Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing (Nov); US Construction Spending (Oct) and ISM Manufacturing (Nov); UK M4 Money Supply (Oct), Mortgage Approvals (Oct), Net Consumer Credit (Oct) and Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing (Nov); German Purchasing Manager Index Manufacturing (Nov); Swiss Purchasing Managers' Index (Oct); Japanese Labour Cash Earnings (Oct) and Vehicle Sales (Nov); Canadian GDP (Oct)

Others:Interim management statements from Aryzra Origin Enterprises; Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív to announce investment supported by IDA Ireland (Clayton Hotel, Galway City)

TUESDAY

Results:Bank of Nova Scotia; Greene King; Sears; Telford Homes; Thomas Cook

Indicators:EU Producer Price Index (Oct); Irish Annual Services Inquiry (2006); US ABC/Washington Post Consumer Confidence (Nov 30); Swiss Consumer Price Index (Oct); Australian Current Account Balance (Q3), Retail Sales (Oct) and RBA Interest Rate Decision

Others:Trading update from Tesco

WEDNESDAY

Results: Anglo Irish Bank; Dawson; Del Monte; DS Smith; Infineon Technologies; Sage; Stagecoach

Meetings:IBEC North West Health and Safety Forum; ESRI Seminar: The Future of Ireland's Environment; International Panorama conference organised by Telefónica on the role of businesses and the European Union (Brussels); OECD Forum on African Public Debt Management (to Friday)

Indicators:EU Retail Sales (Nov); Irish Survey on Income and Living Conditions in Ireland (2007) and Live Register (Nov); US MBA Mortgage Applications (Nov 28th), ADP Employment Change (Nov), Nonfarm Productivity (Q3), Unit Labour Costs (Q3), ISM Non-Manufacturing (Nov), EIA Crude Oil Stocks change (Nov 28th) and Fed's Beige Book

Others: Publication of OECD Economic Survey of Sweden

THURSDAY

Results:Guess; National Bank of Canada; Novell; Minorplanet Systems; Samuel Heath

Meetings: Construction Law Conference 2009 Laying down the Law (Croke Park)

Indicators: EU GDP (Q3) and ECB interest rate decision; Irish Regional Population Projections (2011-2041) and Institutional Sector Accounts Financial (2001-2007); US Initial Jobless Claims (Nov 29) and Factory Orders (Oct); UK BoE Interest Rate Decision; Swiss GDP (Q3); Canadian Building Permits (Oct); Australian trade balance (Oct)

Others: Trading update from Bellway and Morrisons

FRIDAY

Results: Marston's

Indicators: Irish Index of Employment in Construction (Oct), Live Register Additional Tables (Nov) and Output Input and Income in Agriculture 2008 - advance estimate; US Average Hourly Earnings (Nov), Consumer Credit (Oct), Nonfarm Payrolls (Nov) and Unemployment Rate (Nov); German Factory Orders (Oct); Canadian Unemployment Rate (Nov); OECD composite leading indicators and standardised unemployment rates