UK economic data will likely steal the show next week, with a barrage of leading indicators scheduled for release, including the all-important consumer price index (CPI) for December as markets continue to speculate over when the Bank of England will begin to loosen monetary policy.
In the continued absence of corporate results, economic data will once again steal the limelight on Thursday, with service-sector indicators in focus across the globe and labour-market figures due in the US.
Markets will experience another shortened trading week with all major equity indices closed for New Year's Day on Monday, but traders returning to their desks after the festive holidays will have an influx of economic data to contend with.