09.04.202004:42:00UTC+00European Economics Preview: UK Monthly GDP Data Due

Monthly GDP, industrial production and foreign trade from the UK are due on Thursday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics releases UK monthly GDP, industrial and construction output and external trade figures. The UK economy is forecast to grow 0.1 percent in February after staying flat in January.

Economists forecast UK industrial output to grow 0.1 percent on month, in contrast to a 0.1 percent fall in January. The visible trade deficit is seen at GBP 6 billion versus a shortfall of GBP 3.7 billion in January.

In the meantime, Germany's foreign trade data is due. Exports are forecast to fall 1 percent on month and imports to drop 0.7 percent in February. Economists forecast the trade surplus to rise to EUR 16.5 billion from EUR 13.9 billion in January.

At 4.00 am ET, Italy's Istat releases industrial production for February. Production is expected to drop 1.7 percent on month, reversing a 3.7 percent rise in January.

At 5.00 am ET, industrial production and unemployment figures are due from Greece.

At 7.30 am ET, the European Central Bank is set to publish the account of the monetary policy meetings of the governing council held on March 11 and 12 and March 18.