MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Three key releases for Thursday are UK October retail sales

at 0930GMT, the September Euro Area trade balance at 1000GMT and US October

retail sales at 1330GMT.

     After a decline of 0.8% m/m in retail sales both including and excluding

petrol in September, the MNI median points to a rebound to 0.2% m/m in October.

     The Euro Area trade balance for August was a surplus of EUR16.6 bn.

     U.S. retail sales are forecast to rise 0.6% in October after a weaker than

expected 0.1% gain in September. Not seasonally adjusted industry motor vehicle

sales improved modestly in October, while AAA reported that gasoline prices rose

slightly in mid-October from one month earlier. Motor vehicle sales should pick

up further in the South as part of the hurricane recovery. Retail sales are

expected to be up 0.6% excluding motor vehicles after a 0.1% decline in

September.

     Speaking at 1215GMT is ECB Executive Board member Benoit Coeure speaking in

Basel, Switzerland. Approximately an hour later at 1310GMT, ECB Executive Board

member Peter Praet speaks in Brussels. At 1435GMT is ECB Vice President Luis de

Guindos speaking in Amsterdam. The final speech from Europe comes at 1630GMT

from BBK Executive Board member Sabine Mauderer in Frankfurt.

     US speeches start at 1500GMT Federal Reserve Board of Governors Vice

Chairman Randal Quarles in Washington D.C. At 1800GMT is Atlanta Federal Reserve

Bank president Raphael Bostic speaking in Madrid, Spain. Concluding at 2000GMT

is Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari in Minneapolis.

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