Wednesday preview: Fedspeak, Prudential in focus

(Sharecast News) - The economic calendar on Wednesday will be sparse with only a smattering of risk events for investors to keep tabs on.

However, a speech by Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller, at 0515 BST, may draw some attention.

Another speech from Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic, at 2200 BST, will also be closely watched.

Investors will also be keeping an eye out on the results of the US Treasury's auction of five-year debt at 1700 BST.

Euro area M3 money supply growth figures are also set for release, at 0800 BST.

Monetary Policy Committee member Catherine Mann will deliver a speech at 1215 BST.

On the corporate side of things, insurance and asset management outfit Prudential was scheduled to release its first half results.

Investors' focus would be on what management had to say regarding progress on its strategic initiatives.

UBS analyst Nasib Ahmed said that delivery on those goals would narrow Prudential's 20% valuation discount relative to its nearest peer, AIA.

Ahmed pegged Prudential's first half APE sales at $3.16bn with new business profit seen coming in at $1.46bn.

Operating profits of $1.42bn were expected, against consensus at $1.5bn.

The consensus estimate for Prudential's dividend per share was 6.83p.

Prudential