Investing
Results round-up: Companies to watch this week
It’s a rip-roaring week for the markets as many major companies prepare to report their results to investors.
Monday 28 July
Aberdeen Asset Management – third quarter results
Everything Everywhere – second quarter results
National Grid – interim management statement
No major drama is expected from National Grid this time around, though investors will hoping for confirmation that trading is in line with expectations. Investors should listen out for any announcements to do with the group’s US operations.
How life insurance can benefit your health and wellbeing over the decades
Sponsored by Post Office
Reckitt Benckiser – second quarter results
Ryanair Holdings – first quarter results
Tuesday 29 July
BP – second quarter results
Investors will be hoping results have kept pace with the first quarter’s encouraging numbers. The unrest in Ukraine and Russia has lifted energy prices, which should help with average oil prices, but the group’s part ownership of Russian oil company Rosneft could mean problems down the line if sanctions come through. Investors should be paying attention to management’s thoughts on the matter.
GKN – second quarter results
Hutchison China MediTech – second quarter results
Next Plc – second quarter trading statement
St James’s Place – Interim management statement
This group has been going from strength to strength lately and investors will be hoping for more of the same. Areas to note include expansion into Asia and any early signs of benefits from George Osborne’s ISA and pension reform.
Wednesday 30 July
Antofagasta – second quarter results
Barclays – second quarter results
British American Tobacco – second quarter results
Compass – second quarter management statement
ITV – second quarter results
National Express Group – second quarter results
Peugeot-Citreon – first half results
Rightmove plc – interim results
Shire – second quarter results
Tullow Oil – second quarter results
Vendata Resources – first quarter results
Thursday 31 July
AstraZeneca – second quarter results
Fellow pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline disappointed the markets this week and next up is AstraZeneca. Likely competition from generic drugs will hurt revenues, though the rejection of Pfizer’s takeover approach earlier this year means that investors will want to see convincing evidence that Astra can make it alone when it comes to research and development. Cost cutting programs will also be of interest.
BAE Systems – second quarter results
BG Group – second quarter results
BNP Paribas – interim results
BT – first quarter results
Centrica – second quarter results
Diageo – fourth quarter results
Rolls Royce – second quarter results
Rolls Royce already warned customers not to expect sales growth this year, but investors will be hoping management is more optimistic for 2015. The future of the defence industry may be brighter – budget cuts have hurt Rollys Royce but the worst may be over. The key will be the company’s participation in the civil aerospace industry, where it is performing well. Investors will be looking out for the size of the order backlog and the mix between original equipment and after sales contracts.
Royal Dutch Shell – second quarter results
Thomas Cook Group plc – third quarter interim management statement
TSB Bank plc – interim results
Weir Group – second quarter results
Friday 1 August
IMI – second quarter results
With a new CEO on board, IMI is undergoing a strategic review. Currency and its impact on profits may be making investors in the company nervous, as will potential pressure on margins. The group was forecasting an improvement in the second half of the year, so an update and confirmation of this good news will be important to investors.
International Consolidated Airlines – second quarter results
ISM – report on business, manufacturing
Rexam – second quarter results
Royal Bank of Scotland – second quarter results
Smith & Nephew – second quarter results
The last couple of years have been exceptional for Smith & Nephew and growth targets have left it an attractive acquisition target. Nothing has materialised thus far – despite some interest from US firms – and investors will be looking for management’s thoughts.
William Hill – second quarter results
Source: The Share Centre, Headline Money