WEEK AHEAD: WEEK 8

KERRY Group kicks off 2018 earnings reports today followed by Glanbia on Wednesday in a week that also sees Air France and Lloyds Banking Group publish their annual results.

Barclays follows on Thursday and recruitment group Hays comes in with a second quarter trading update. Kingspan and Ires Reit release earnings on Friday.

The Central Statistics Office releases the Labour Force Survey tomorrow, while on Friday the wholesale price index for January is due.

Eurozone Flash PMIs for February on Thursday will give a sense of whether we’re going to see a turnaround in eurozone growth.

European Union ambassadors meet in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the current status of Brexit.

Recession-hit Italy’s BBB credit rating from Fitch is up for review on Friday in what could be more bad news for the single currency area.

In the United States it is the Presidents’ Day holiday and markets are closed.

Trade talks between the US and China are set to continue and we are waiting for Trump to talk car duties while the Federal Reserve publishes its January meeting minutes on Wednesday.