magazine archive
magazine archive
Week Ahead
Can you still depend on Dignity?
Thursday 11 May 2017Monday, 15 May Shares in funeral services firm Dignity ( DTY ) have stalled in the past year as investors become increasingly concerned the abnormally high death rates in 2015 and 2016 will not be repeated. Look for an update on market share in a first quarter trading statement on 15 May. Its share...
Is EasyJet flying high?
Thursday 11 May 2017Tuesday, 16 May Budget airline EasyJet ( EZJ ) announced annual passenger growth of 7.8% on 5 May and half year results on 16 May should reveal how the company is performing in terms of revenue and profit. Year-to-date the share price is up nearly 30% but on a one-year view the shares are still...
Did ITV benefit from YouTube scandal?
Thursday 04 May 2017Wednesday, 10 May As ever advertising revenue is likely to be in focus when free-to-air broadcaster ITV ( ITV ) updates on first quarter trading alongside its AGM. It will be interesting to note if its video-on-demand platform saw a tangible benefit following an exodus of advertisers from video...
Why National Express’ UK division is under scrutiny
Thursday 04 May 2017Wednesday, 10 May In February, coach travel operator National Express ( NEX ) impressed investors with strong growth in North America although its UK market remains an ongoing concern. When it updates the market on 10 May, its UK division will remain in focus as it should reveal whether changing...
Barratt to provide yardstick on housebuilding sector
Thursday 04 May 2017Wednesday, 10 May The UK’s largest housebuilder Barratt Developments ( BDEV ) will offer a useful barometer for the sector as a whole when it updates on trading on 10 May. Investors will focus on margin performance, the state of the London market, signs of any jitters post the triggering of Article...
Oil price and Nigerian allegations in focus for Shell
Thursday 27 Apr 2017First quarter numbers on 4 May from oil major Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSB ) are likely to reveal how the company is standing up to volatile oil prices. They may also provide an opportunity to address a bribery scandal in Nigeria. Leaked emails earlier this month appeared to validate claims of...
All eyes on Shire’s sales momentum
Thursday 27 Apr 2017Shire’s ( SHP ) dry eye disease treatment XIIDRA shot to success in the first four months of its debut in 2016, capturing 19% of market share in the US. First quarter results on 2 May could provide a chance for Shire to update on sales momentum. Investors will also want to know if Roche is...
Paddy Power Betfair poised to please
Thursday 27 Apr 2017FTSE 100 betting behemoth Paddy Power Betfair ( PPB ) reports on first quarter trading next week (3 May). The performance of online gaming and Australian business Sportsbet will be in focus, as will Paddy Power Betfair’s performance over recent major UK horseracing events. The gaming giant’s recent...
Will AstraZeneca's headache continue?
Thursday 20 Apr 2017Thursday 27 April Investors are already forewarned of a tough 2017 for pharmaceutical business AstraZeneca ( AZN ) after guidance in February for a low to mid-single digit sales decline. We believe investors will want an update on cholesterol treatment Crestor in its trading update on 27 April...
Focus on Tullow’s balance sheet
Thursday 20 Apr 2017Wednesday 26 April Oil producer Tullow Oil ( TLW ) is set to update on trading on 26 April, representing for the first time since completing a heavily discounted $750m right issue. The statement may reveal what shape the balance sheet is in following the fundraising and the €20m sale of natural gas...