08.09.201602:13:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: ECB Set To Keep Key Rates Unchanged

The European Central Bank is widely expected to keep its monetary policy unchanged at its meeting on Thursday.

At 2.30 am ET, the Bank of France is slated to release business sentiment survey results for August. Economists forecast the index to rise to 98 from 96 in July.

At 3.00 am ET, consumer prices and foreign trade figures are due from Hungary. Prices are forecast to rise 0.1 percent annually in August reversing a 0.3 percent fall in July.

In the meantime, Turkey's industrial production data is due. Economists forecast production to fall 1 percent on a monthly basis in July after easing 1.4 percent in June.

At 5.00 am ET, Greece unemployment figures are due for June. The jobless rate stood at 23.5 percent in May.

At 6.00 am ET, Ireland's consumer prices data for September is due. Prices had increased 0.5 percent year-on-year in August.

At 7.45 am ET, the ECB is scheduled to announce the outcome of its governing council meeting. The central bank is forecast to hold its rates for the fourth straight policy session.

The refi rate is expected to remain at a record low zero percent and the deposit rate at -0.40 percent.

ECB Chief Mario Draghi holds customary press conference at 8.30 am ET. Economists forecast the bank to keep its current quantitative easing programme unchanged today.