Week ahead starting 18 December: BoJ rates Nike earnings

 As the markets wind down for the Christmas weekend, there’s a half day on Friday 22 December which may mean that volumes may start to evaporate. That being said, the data comes think and fast right through to the end. In the last main central bank meeting of the year, the Bank of Japan is likely to provide the last main point of interest, although no move is expected, will the board signal an end of easy monetary policy? UK inflation data comes on Thursday and then on Friday the release of UK retail sales data. Earnings in the week are very thin on the ground, but Nike’s fiscal second quarter is likely to be the highlight, coming as it does after the markets closes on Wall Street on Thursday.Any opinion, news, research, analysis, or other information does not constitute investment or trading advice. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube