Economic calendar: US hard data and bankers speeches

• European markets seen opening flat

• US industrial production for November

• Speeches from ECB Chief Economist and BoC Governor

European markets are seen opening flat after a lacklustre Asian session where most indices finished lower. Economic calendar for the European morning is almost empty and there are no key releases scheduled. However, some hard data from Canada and the United States will be released in the afternoon. When it comes to politics, the situation looks unchanged so far - still no Brexit deal and still no US economic relief. However, negotiations over the latter has gathered some pace recently.

9:00 am GMT - Italy, CPI inflation for November (final). First release: -0.2% YoY

1:00 pm GMT - Hungarian National Bank rate decision.

1:15 pm GMT - Canada, housing starts for November. Expected: 215k. Previous: 214.9k

1:30 pm GMT - US, New York Empire index for December. Expected: 6.9. Previous: 6.3

2:15 pm GMT - US, industrial production for November. Expected: 0.3% MoM. Previous: 1.1% MoM

9:40 pm GMT - API report on oil inventories.

Central bankers' speeches

• 2:05 pm GMT - ECB Chief Economist Lane

• 7:30 pm GMT - BoC Governor Macklem