THE WEEK AHEAD in association with GFT
COMPANY NEWS
● On Monday, Phoenix will release its first quarter trading update. The FTSE 250 insurance group specialises in the management and acquisition of closed life and pension funds.
● On Tuesday, Vodafone releases its final results. Analysts expect profits to be down on 2010 figures.
● There are plenty of AGMs throughout the day on Tuesday, including Capital Shopping, Fresnillo, International Power, Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Life.
● On Wednesday, Lloyds Banking Group will hold its AGM. The Association of British Insurers has issued an “amber top” alert to prompt investors to look at Antonio Horta-Osorio’s contract. On the same day, Jupiter’s and Resolution’s AGMs take place.
● A final price for Glencore is tabled for Thursday. Commodity volatility has put pressure on the company, although it’s now expected to close its IPO on Tuesday.
● The utility companies National Grid and Scottish and Southern Energy report on Thursday and Friday respectively. Investors demand powerful results.
● SABMiller delivers its final year results on Thursday. Investors in the FTSE 100 brewer will likely raise a toast, having seen its share price double over the last two years.
● On Friday, Experian will unveil its final results. As well as working with businesses to help manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision-making, to their credit they also help individuals check their credit report.
ECONOMICS NEWS
● Today and tomorrow, Eurozone finance ministers meet. This is seen by many as a critical meeting if they are to get to grips with the debt crises. On Tuesday, they could back a ban on naked or uncovered selling of sovereign debt and shares.
● Today, the US NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for May is released.
● On Tuesday, minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will be unveiled. Traders will be looking for clues as to whether a rate rise will be signalled for June.
● At 9.30am on Wednesday, the Bank of England’s (BoE) MPC minutes come out, showing how close they came to changing rates. On the same day, the BoE also publishes the Agents’ Summary of Business Conditions, based on discussions with around 700 businesses.
POLITICAL NEWS
● Today, the United States government is officially over its debt ceiling and in default of federal law.
● Planned tube strikes won’t take place today. Boris Johnson is putting the government under pressure to bring in tougher labour laws to prevent future industrial action.
● On Wednesday, Canada will vote on whether to give the Walkie-Talkie building, at 20 Fenchurch Street, immunity from rights-of-light claims.
● On Thursday, Nick Clegg will set out plans for House of Lords reform when giving evidence to the political reform select committee.
● On Thursday, BBC’s Question Time will be hosted from the prison at Wormwood Scrubs. The trouble will be telling the politicians and criminals apart.