With no data releases from the UK, focus remains on BoE rate hike. A gift of higher wages wouldn't be taken for granted by Bank of England (BOE) Governor Mark Carney, who has asked to see a 3 percent bump in wage growth by year-end before he would even consider raising the U.K.'s record-low interest rate. While Britain has managed to cut unemployment to 5.2 percent — its lowest level since 2006 — wage inflation has remained stubbornly low, with the Office for National Statistics reporting 2 percent growth, including bonuses, in the three months to October. That might not be so bad, until you consider that's down from 2.9 percent the previous quarter.
In the US session CB Consumer Confidence figures were released. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased moderately in November, improved in December.
The Index now stands at 96.5 (1985=100), up from 92.6 in November. Analysts were anticipating smaller increase to 93.6. The Present Situation Index increased from 110.9 last month to 115.3 in December, while the Expectations Index improved to 83.9 from 80.4 in November.
Tomorrow's session will bring Nationwide house prices data. Incline by 0.4% is forecasted. In the US session Pending Home Sales figures are scheduled for a release. Analysts are predicting 0.6% increase.
Figures to watch:
Nationwide HPI
Pending Home Sales