MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - There are three key releases on the penultimate day of the

week -- December Italy retail sales at 0900GMT, the UK Bank of England interest

rate decision and February inflation report at 1200GMT and US December consumer

credit data at 2000GMT.

     Italian retail sales in November were up 0.7% on the month and 1.6% y/y.

The ECB Economic Bulletin is also at 0900GMT.

     The BOE is widely anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged at 0.75, as

well as its asset purchase programme unchanged at stg445 bn. Those looking for

the MPC to delve in the political conundrum known as Brexit will be disappointed

with the BOE set to forecasts economic outcomes based on an average of Brexit

outcomes and further to that staying far away as possible from the subject in

the subsequent press release.

     Dallas Federal Reserve Bank president Rob Kaplan participating in a Q&A

session in Dallas, Texas, from 1415GMT.

     Concluding the speeches at 1430GMT is the Federal Reserve Board of

Governors Vice Chairman Richard Clarida presenting a research paper in Prague.

     November consumer credit in the US was $22.1 bn. The MNI median is for a

notable decline in December to $16.5 bn.

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