In the United States on Wednesday, the market will be awaiting the speech by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, especially in view of the increased uncertainty in the financial markets. Meanwhile, industrial production data for October should give indications on the manufacturing sector's performance. The Philly Fed and the New York indices for November will shed light on the state of business confidence. Pending home sales figures for September and Producers Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) readings for October will complete the picture in the US.

In the United Kingdom, this week's focus will be the publication of inflation figures for October and the Bank of England's (BOE) quarterly inflation report. This report should shed more light on the future direction of British interest rates. Other releases should include the October unemployment rate, retail sales, and PPI and CPI figures.

In Euroland, observers expect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the third quarter. Following strong reports out of the US and the UK, Euroland's figures are also expected to be quite strong. Other data due this week will include CPI and HICP (Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices) numbers, with the November Zew Index, which will give hints on the health of the economy in the fourth quarter.

This article has been prepared by Bank of Valletta p.l.c. (the Bank), which is licensed to conduct investment services business by the MFSA, for general information only. This information is not a solicitation or offer by the bank to acquire or sell securities. Nor does it constitute any form of advice by the bank. Appropriate advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and the value of your investments may fall or rise.