LONDON REPORT
AS DELIBERATIONS over the Eurozone’s future rumble on this week, weighing on global markets, a raft of retail firms are due to report on how the British high street has treated them in recent months.
The FTSE 100 rose 1.5 per cent last week, but is still down two per cent down since the start of the year.
Today sees half year figures from Debenhams as well as results from Entertainment One and Gulf Keystone. The US markets, however, are closed for Memorial Day.
Tomorrow, investors are due to digest a third quarter update from Wolseley, plus half year figures from Brewin Dolphin and full years from money printer De La Rue.
On the economics front, the CBI publishes distributive trades figures for May and US consumer confidence statistics are released. Germany is also due to release retail sales figures.
On Wednesday, UK consumer credit and mortgage lending figures are due, giving investors a fresh look at the state of Britons’ finances. Corporate results are on the way from Sportingbet and Severn Trent.
Retailers are in focus on Thursday, as Kingfisher updates the market on its first quarter, Thomas Cook reveals half year results, alongside full year figures from Halfords, Tate & Lyle and Fuller, Smith & Turner.
Chariot Oil is also releasing full year results.
Ireland will hold its referendum on whether to ratify the latest Eurozone fiscal pact, while US GDP data plus jobless figures will be released.
The week is wound up with a trading statement from recruitment firm Harvey Nash and full year results from Ascent Resources. Purchasing Managers’ Index figures for the manufacturing sector are also due. In the US, non-farm payroll figures will shed more light on the jobs market.