Next is due to publish its fourth-quarter update on Friday amid news that the UK retail sector experienced challenging Christmas trading conditions. The fashion retailer results come a day after John Lewis reported a record 7.2% rise in sales on the back of demand for items such as coffee machines and table computers.The department store chain outperformed rivals such as Debenhams which started the UK retail reporting period on Tuesday with a profit warning after slashing prices to attract shoppers.On the macro front tomorrow will be the release of UK house-price figures. A report from Nationwide is expected to show a 0.7% rise in house prices in December compared to a month earlier when prices increased 0.6%.Accelerating prices, driven by London and the south of England as well as support from government schemes, have fuelled fears of a housing bubble.Also in the UK, mortgage approvals and construction figures will be released. Mortgage approvals are tipped to edge up to 69,700 in November from 67,700 the prior month, while the purchasing managers' index for construction is expected to ease back to 62 in December from 62.6 in November. Later on in the US, Federal Reserve's outgoing Chairman Ben Bernanke will speak which may provide clues as to whether the central bank will further reduce monetary stimulus at this month's meeting. Bernanke, who steps down this month, announced at the last meeting that the Fed would begin scaling back monthly bond purchases to $75bn from $85bn.Friday January 3rdINTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATEAmec, Brown (N.) Group, Castings, China Chaintek United Co. Limited, Dee Valley Group, Dee Valley Group (Non-Voting), Hogg Robinson Group, Homeserve, Majestic Wine, MS International, Sainsbury (J), Slingsby H.C, Tate & Lyle, Value and Income Trust, VPINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSAuto Sales (US) (15:00)TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTSNextUK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSConsumer Credit (09:30)M4 Money Supply (09:30)M4 Sterling Lending (09:30)Mortgage Approvals (09:30)PMI Construction (09:30)RD