2018.04.2600:38:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: ECB Rate Decision Due

The European Central Bank is forecast to keep its main interest rates unchanged at its meeting on Thursday.

The ECB is expected to hold its main refi rate at a record low zero percent and the deposit rate at -0.40 percent. The announcement is due at 7.45 am ET.

Following the meeting of the Governing Council in Frankfurt, ECB President Mario Draghi will hold his customary press conference at 8.30 am ET.

At 2.00 am ET, Germany's GfK consumer confidence survey results are due. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index is forecast to drop to 10.8 in May from 10.9 in April.

At 3.00 am ET, the National Institute of Economic Research is set to publish Sweden's economic tendency survey results. The indicator is seen at 107.5 in April versus 108.4 in March.

Half an hour later, Sweden's central bank is set to announce the outcome of its monetary policy meeting. The bank is forecast to keep its key rate at -0.50 percent.

In the meantime, producer prices and foreign trade figures are due from Sweden.

At 6.00 am ET, the Confederation of British Industry is scheduled to release UK's Distributive Trades survey data.