2021.04.2205:43:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: ECB Monetary Policy Decision Due

The monetary policy announcement from the European Central Bank is due on Thursday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

The bank is expected to keep its policy rates and stimulus package unchanged at the rate-setting meeting of the year. The announcement is due at 7.45 am ET.

ECB President Christine Lagarde is set to hold the customary press conference at 8.30 am ET.

At 2.45 am ET, the French statistical office Insee publishes business confidence survey results for April. The business confidence index is forecast to rise marginally to 99 from 98 in March.

At 3.00 am ET, consumer confidence survey data is due from Turkey.

At 4.00 am ET, Italy's Istat publishes industrial orders and turnover data for February. Sales had increased 2.5 percent on month in January.

At 6.00 am ET, the Confederation of British Industry releases Industrial Trends survey data. The order book balance is forecast to rise to 2 percent in April from -5 percent in March.