2014.04.2402:37:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: German Ifo Business Confidence Data Due

Ifo business confidence from Germany is due on Thursday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Switzerland's external trade data is due. In the meantime, Statistics Finland is set to issue unemployment data. The jobless rate is seen at 9.3 percent in March, up from 9.1 percent in February.

At 2.45 am ET, the French statistical office Insee is scheduled to release business confidence data. The confidence index is seen unchanged at 100 in April.

Czech consumer and business confidence survey results are due at 3.00 am ET.

Half an hour later, Statistics Netherlands is scheduled to issue producer confidence and consumer spending figures.

At 4.00 am ET, Germany's Ifo business confidence data is due. Business confidence is seen at 110.4 in April compared to 110.7 in March. The current conditions index is forecast to improve to 115.6 from 115.2.

In the meantime, Poland's retail sales and unemployment figures are due. Economists expect retail sales to grow 5.9 percent year-on-year in March compared to February's 7 percent rise. The jobless rate is seen falling to 13.6 percent from 13.9 percent in February.

At 6.00 am ET, the Confederation of British Industry is slated to release Distributive Trades survey data. The retail sales balance is seen at 17 percent in April, up from 13 percent in March.

At 7.00 am ET, Turkey's central bank is set to announce its interest rate decision. Economists forecast the bank to keep its key rate at 10 percent.