Thursday preview: ECB, BoJ announcements eyed; Apple, Amazon results in focus

(Sharecast News) - Policy announcements from the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan are due on Thursday, as well as quarterly results from Apple and Amazon.

The ECB is widely expected to keep its key rate steady at 2%

Michael Hewson at MCH Market Insights said: "No changes are expected here even as inflation in the EU is showing signs of ticking higher, after September CPI edged up to 2.2% from 2.1% in August. Core inflation also ticked higher, rising to 2.4% and the highest since April.

"In the last few months headline inflation in Europe has risen from lows of 1.9% in May with the ECB likely to keep rates steady as the last few rate cuts continue to trickle down into the system. The rise of the euro is also helping to keep a lid on the recent rebound in prices, with the euro already up by over 10% year to date against the US dollar.

"We've heard from a number of ECB officials ruling out the prospect of further cuts with the likes of Belgium's Pierre Wunsch, as well as Malta's Edward Scicluna expressing caution at the prospect. These two aren't alone either with the Bundesbank's Nagel, Austria's Kocher and France's Villeroy de Galhau all expressing similar sentiments, with concerns about tariff effects very much front of mind."

As far as the BoJ is concerned, Danske Bank expects it to take a cautious stance and leave the policy rate unchanged.

"However, we still see solid arguments for further tightening and anticipate a potential rate hike at the December meeting," it said.

On the UK corporate front, third-quarter results are due from Standard Chartered, along with Q3 trading updates from Haleon, WPP and Computacenter. Shell and Spectris will release Q3 results.

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that Shell heads into its third-quarter results after a tough first half, with second quarter underlying net profit down 32% to $4.3bn, due to lower commodity prices, weak trading, and chemical plant disruptions.

"However, third-quarter guidance suggests a rebound, particularly in its Integrated Gas division, where trading and optimisation results are expected to be 'significantly higher' than second quarter," he said. "LNG liquefaction volumes are also projected to rise 5-10%, to 7.0-7.4 million tonnes. In the downstream segment, refining margins are forecast to jump to $11.6 per barrel, supported by high refinery utilisation of 94-98%.

"Market consensus points to third-quarter revenue of around $73.5 billion. Share buybacks remain in focus, with Shell maintaining $3.5 billion in the second quarter despite earnings pressure. However, with Brent crude falling and a persistent global surplus averaging around 1.9 million barrels per day, the sustainability of Shell's capital returns may come into question if oil prices remain weak."

In the US, quarterly results are due from Apple, Amazon and Eli Lilly, among others.

HL's Britzman said that looking to the fourth quarter, one of the most important areas for investors will be Apple's forward guidance on revenue growth, especially in light of ongoing tariff pressures and uncertainties around its AI strategy.

"The Services segment, including the App Store, Apple Music, and other digital offerings, is expected to remain a key driver of profitability. However, its success is closely tied to sustained hardware momentum, particularly in iPhone sales," he said.

Thursday October 30

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Avation, Bank of Ireland Group (CDI), Centrica, Phoenix Group Holdings

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aeorema Communications, Balfour Beatty, Banco Santander S.A., Bloomsbury Publishing, Burford Capital NPV (DI), Hilton Food Group, JD Sports Fashion, LLoyds Banking Group 9.25% Non-Cum Irredeemable Pref Shares, LLoyds Banking Group 9.75% Non-Cum Irredeemable Pref Shares, Whitbread

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Abrdn DIversified Income And Growth

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Brunner Inv Trust, JPMorgan Claverhouse Inv Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Business Climate Indicator (EU) (16:30)

Consumer Confidence (EU) (16:30)

Continuing Claims (US) (19:00)

Industrial Confidence (EU) (16:30)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (19:00)

Services Sentiment (EU) (16:30)

Unemployment Rate (EU) (16:30)

Unemployment Rate (GER) (15:25)

Q3

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (CDI), Shell , Standard Chartered

GMS

Anglesey Mining, Premier African Minerals Ltd (DI), Union Jack Oil

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Life Settlement Assets

AGMS

Filtronic, Scancell Holdings

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI), Haleon , PPHE Hotel Group Ltd, Wellnex Life Limited Npv (DI)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust, Dunelm Group, Fiske, Gattaca, Kier Group, Mcbride, NWF Group, PZ Cussons, Renishaw, Sylvania Platinum Ltd (DI), Thorpe (F.W.), Wilmington