THE WEEK AHEAD

Besides the minutes, the best a quiet local week can offer is data on internet job advertisements.

Offshore, markets in the United States face a shortened week for the Thanksgiving Holiday, while home sales and consumer sentiment data will be released.

In company news, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group will hold its annual general meeting, along with big names Woolworths, Macquarie Group and QR National.

Finally, European Union finance ministers will meet to discuss current bailout plans for Greece.

RBA

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia will release the minutes of its November policy meeting, where it surprised the market by keeping the official cash rate on hold at 3.25 per cent.

Investors will look carefully at the minutes for any reflection on the future of monetary policy, after the hold decision shocked analysts who had been banking on a cut.

Economists have suggested that a drop in rates is less likely after recent housing finance data lifted in line with expectations this week, though better wage price figures offered no real guidance.

Later on Tuesday, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens will deliver a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia annual dinner in Melbourne.

Local news

A bare week in local news brings just a couple of private indicators as the Australian Bureau of Statistics takes a breather on economic releases.

On Tuesday, Westpac Banking Corporation and the Melbourne Institute will release their latest quarterly growth index.

Wednesday sees the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations make its internet vacancy index for November available to the public.

Corporate

The week in company news brings another heap of annual general meetings, which are showing no signs of slowing down though November.

Monday sees Australia and New Zealand Banking Group hold its AGM, along with Arrium.

On Tuesday, Virgin Australia Holdings will hold an AGM, along with Emeco Holdings, iiNet, Fletcher Building, Lynas Corporation, Monadelphous Corporation, and BC Iron.

Elsewhere, Sydney Airport will release sales and revenue data for the month of October, while Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will trade ex-dividend.

Wednesday brings AGMs from QR National and Drillsearch Energy.

On Thursday, full-year results are awaited from Norfolk Group, while Macquarie Group and Woolworths Ltd will hold AGMs.

Elsewhere, Discovery Metals, Goodman Fielder, Horizon Oil, IMF (Australia), Paladin Energy and Santos will all meet shareholders.

Overseas, Foster's Group owner SAB Miller will report earnings figures overseas.

Friday sees David Jones, Beach Energy, Cape Lambert Resources, Ausdrill, AV Jennings and Western Areas hold AGMs.

Offshore

Overseas, United States markets face a shortened week while the data flow from Europe dries up.

On Sunday, the Chinese house price index for October is set for release.

In the US on Monday, existing home sales data for October will be released alongside the NAHB housing market index for November. Economists are expecting home sales to improve slightly in the month.

Tuesday brings October housing starts data in the US, along with building permit figures for the month. The housing data is expected to show a 2.5 per cent fall in starts.

Wednesday sees the Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for November released in the US, alongside jobless claims and the weekly Energy Information Association's petroleum status report.

The latest Mortgage Bankers Association mortgage applications data is also due, along with the Markit Manufacturing PMI for October.

In the United Kingdom, October public sector borrowing data is on tap.

US markets are closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

On Friday, the New York Stock Exchange will close the day early for Thanksgiving.

Wrapping up

Rounding off the week, European Union commissioner Michel Barnier will speak at a EU conference on financial stability and the single market, along with European Central Bank executive board member Benoit Coeure and ECB governing council member Erkki Liikanen.

In Washington, the World Trade Orgainsation dispute settlement body will meet.

On Tuesday, Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft will address the Australasian Investor Relations Association annual conference in Sydney.

Federal minister for immigration Chris Bowen will speak at an American Chamber of Commerce In Australia function, also in Sydney.

BankWest managing director Rob de Luca is due to attend an AICD event in Perth.

Richmond Federal Reserve president Jeffery Lacker will be the guest speaker at a Shadow Open Market Committee in the US.

Elsewhere, European Union finance ministers will meet to discuss current bailout plans for Greece.

Wednesday brings a speech from Alcoa of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg at an AMCHAM event in Melbourne.

Gindalbie Metal managing director Tim Netscher will speak at an AICD event in Geraldton.

Overseas, the Bank of Japan is due to publish its monthly report of economic and financial developments.

Thursday sees the ECB governing council hold a non-rate setting meeting.

Elsewhere, the EU will kick off its two-day summit, aimed at thrashing out the currency bloc's seven-year budget.