magazine archive
magazine archive
Week Ahead
Crucial week for markets as central banks set out their stalls for 2024
Thursday 25 Jan 2024After a stellar rally in the final quarter of last year, markets are on the back foot in 2024 as hopes of a round of interest rate cuts early in the spring have faded following higher-than-expected inflation data in the UK and stronger retail sales figures in the US. While economists had penciled...
UK Christmas retail sales likely to be a mixed bag and US GDP in focus
Thursday 18 Jan 2024There isn’t a great deal of UK economic news to look forward to over the next seven days, the highlight being official December retail sales due on 19 January. If reports from supermarkets and high-street retailers are any guide, shoppers spent more freely on groceries than last year, and bought...
Why investors might expect a positive earnings surprise from Associated British Foods
Thursday 18 Jan 2024Primark’s Christmas trading performance, as well as management commentary around trading early in the new calendar year, will be the main focus when the discount fashion chain’s parent Associated British Foods (ABF) next updates the market on 23 January. With a tailwind from the cost-of-living...
All eyes on AI as Microsoft kicks off Big Tech earnings season
Thursday 18 Jan 2024Although financial companies traditionally signal the start of the US earnings season, next week is when the tech heavyweights begin reporting starting with Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) on 23 January. Expect AI (artificial intelligence) to continue to dominate the commentary with all eyes on Copilot and...
Investors and analysts are banking on rate cuts this quarter
Thursday 11 Jan 2024In terms of short-term market direction, the next few days are likely to hinge on the latest inflation prints from the UK and the US. Today (11 January) sees the release by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics of December’s consumer price index. After readings of 3.2% in October and 3.1% in November...
Can Dunelm deliver investors some Winter comfort and joy?
Thursday 11 Jan 2024Homewares industry rival Next (NXT) set the bar high with its strong Christmas trading update and latest profit upgrade, so there is pressure on UK market leader Dunelm (DNLM) not to disappoint with its second quarter update on 18 January, which includes the festive selling period. Another stand-...
The US’s biggest bank needs to beat forecasts to sustain its rating
Thursday 11 Jan 2024With its shares trading close to all-time highs at $173, there is a lot riding on this week’s fourth-quarter earnings update from JPMorgan Chase (JPM:NYSE) . Over the past year, the Jamie Dimon-led bank has seen profits lifted by the acquisition of First Republic and by an influx of customers who...
Revival in De La Rue shares could be confirmed next week
Thursday 14 Dec 2023Investors in bank note and passport printing firm De La Rue ( DLAR ) are enjoying a rare period of calm as the shares continue their recovery from their all-time lows of 30p over the summer. With the stock currently trading at a nine-month high of 74p, and the firm having issued a pre-close update...
Can trainers star turn Nike extend its recent winning streak?
Thursday 14 Dec 20232023 has proved a challenging year for the world’s largest sportswear firm, Nike (NKE:NYSE) , due to headwinds from slowing consumer spending and difficulties in the key Chinese market. Nevertheless, shares in the Oregon-based sneakers star have rallied strongly in recent months meaning Nike needs...
Unloved electricals giant Currys needs to deliver some earnings spark
Thursday 07 Dec 2023Shares in Currys ( CURY ) are down 20% year-to-date, so the technology products retailer needs to maintain its full-year guidance and deliver a solid trading update with its first-half results, due on 14 December, if the equity is to regain some spark. Operating against a difficult consumer...