Marks & Spencer Share News (MKS)

Marks & Spencer Group is expected to unveil a weak trading update on Thursday following a bleak Christmas period for the retailer. Sales of its struggling general merchandise, including clothing, is forecast to fall 1.5% during the festive period despite heavy discounting of up to 30%. Clive Black, Retail Analyst at Shore Capital, said: "There was a cautious expectation they were about to turn the corner but it doesn't look like they have turned much if at all."In November the company said it was cautious about the outlook for the remainder of the year but reassured that it was "well set up for the key Christmas trading period with more innovation and choice than ever before".Chief Executive Marc Bollard is under pressure as the retailer invests heavily in the business in an effort to turn around its lacklustre clothing division. It relaunched its Womenswear range last year, with Bolland saying the Autumn/Winter collection was "well received" in its first three weeks in stores.The company's results come following reports New Look enjoyed positive like-for-like sales during the Christmas trading period.New Look, which is privately-owned, has not yet decided when to release details of the report but a source told Sky News that it could be published tomorrow. The company declined to comment.Turning to the macro-economic agenda tomorrow, the Bank of England releases its latest interest rate decision. The central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate at a record low of 0.50% and asset purchases at £375bn. Thursday January 9th INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE3i Infrastructure, API Group, Big Yellow Group, Caledonia Investments, Mckay Securities, NorcrosQUARTERLY PAYMENT DATEAfrica Opportunity Fund Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline, Land Securities GroupINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSBloomberg Consumer Confidence (US) (14:45)Business Climate Indicator (EU) (10:00)Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)ECB Interest Rate (EU) (12:45)Economic Sentiment Indicator (EU) (10:00)Industrial Production (GER) (11:00)Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)IMSSMarks & Spencer GroupTRADING ANNOUNCEMENTSGVC Holdings, Hays, Laird, Rathbone Brothers, SIG, TescoUK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSBalance of Trade (09:30)BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)RD