2020.03.2604:59:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: Bank Of England Rate Decision Due

The interest rate announcement from the Bank of England is due on Thursday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news.

At 3.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK retail sales data for February. Economists forecast sales to grow 0.2 percent on month, following a 0.9 percent increase in January.

Also, Germany Gfk consumer confidence survey data is due. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index is seen at 7.1 in April versus 9.8 in March.

At 4.00 am ET, the Swedish National Institute of Economic Research is set to issue economic tendency survey data.

Half an hour later, Sweden foreign trade data is due from Statistics Sweden.

At 5.00 am ET, the European Central Bank is set to issue economic bulletin and money supply data. Economists forecast euro area M3 growth to remain unchanged at 5.2 percent in February.

At 8.00 am ET, the Bank of England publishes the outcome of the monetary policy meeting. Economists expect the bank to retain its record low interest rate and to expand asset purchase programme to GBP 635 billion from GBP 435 billion.

In the meantime, the Czech National bank announces its monetary policy decision. The two-week repo rate is likely to be lowered to 1.25 percent from 1.75 percent.