MNI European Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Wednesday throws up a limited European data calendar, with

focus on UK retail sales numbers. However, the highlight will be the FOMC policy

decision and Fed Chair Yellen's press conference.

     The calendar gets underway at 0600GMT, with the release of the German

producer price data.

     At 0830GMT, the UK retail sales numbers will be released, at the same time

as the Bank of England publish the latest Agents' Summary of Business

conditions.

     Across the Atlantic, the US calendar gets underway at 1100GMT, when the

latest MBA weekly applications index is published.

     Bundesbank Board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele speaks at OMFIF in a roundtable

discussion, in London, starting at 1230GMT.

     At 1400GMT, the NAR existing home sales data is expected, followed by the

DOE weekly crude oil stocks at 1430GMT.

     Bundesbank Board member Johannes Beermann speech at the reception of the

headquarters in Saxony and Thuringia on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of

the Deutsche Bundesbank, in Leipzig, Germany, starting at 1715GMT.

     The FOMC policy announcement and the latest summary of economic projections

is expected at 1800GMT, while Fed Chair Janet Yellen's press is due at 1830GMT.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com