The upcoming week will be dominated by central bank activities, as the season for company reports draws to a close. There’s a growing anticipation of rate reductions in the next year, so the meetings of the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank are expected to offer varying degrees of resistance to this idea. Additionally, some key macroeconomic updates are scheduled.
Monday, December 11 Financial Events:
- Interim Reports: Begbies Traynor Group (AIM:BEG)
- AGMs/EGMs: Octopus Future Generations, Vela Technologies (AIM:VELA), SigmaRoc PLC (AIM:SRC)
- US Earnings: Oracle Inc
Tuesday, December 12 Corporate Reports:
- Trading Update: Gelion PLC (AIM:GELN)
- Interim Reports: Vianet Group Plc (AIM:VNET)
- Final Reports: Chemring Group PLC (LSE:CHG), RWS Holdings plc (AIM:RWS)
- US Earnings: Johnson Controls
- AGMs/EGMs: Atalaya Mining PLC (AIM:ATYM, TSX:AYM), Baillie Gifford Japan Trust PLC, BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust PLC, Henderson International Income Trust PLC (LSE:HINT), International Biotechnology Trust PLC, Pci-Pal PLC, Time Out Group PLC (AIM:TMO)
- Economic Announcements: Unemployment (UK), CPPI Inflation (US)
Wednesday, December 13 Key Focus:
- Federal Reserve Open Market Committee Meeting: Expected to maintain the current interest rate, but other communication changes are anticipated.
- Market Expectations: Several interest rate cuts projected for 2024, though economists’ opinions vary.
Other Reports:
- Trading Update: Volution Group PLC (LSE:FAN)
- Interim Reports: Cohort PLC (AIM:CHRT), ProCook
- AGMs: Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC (LSE:DPH), Limitless Earth PLC, Softcat PLC (LSE:SCT), Volution Group PLC
- US Earnings: Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:ADBE)
- Economic Announcements: GDP (UK), Balance of Trade (UK), Industrial Production (UK), Index of Services (UK), MBA Mortgage Applications (US), Producer Price Index (US), Federal Reserve Policy Decision (US)
Thursday, December 14 Company Highlights:
- Central Bank Focus: The Bank of England (BoE) announces its decision at midday in London, followed by the European Central Bank (ECB) shortly after. Investors anticipate three rate cuts from the BoE next year, starting in June, which is less aggressive compared to the expected policy easing from the ECB.
- Bunzl PLC (LSE:BNZL) Insight: Despite its mundane product range (like coffee cups, clingfilm, and soap), Bunzl’s consistent share price growth over three decades has attracted a significant following.
- Currys PLC (LSE:CURY) Update: Analysts are showing renewed interest in Currys following the recent sale of its Greek business, suggesting the company is becoming a more attractive investment option.
- Anglo American PLC (LSE:AAL) Legal Developments: Following a recent drop in share price after announcing new medium-term targets, a verdict is expected from the South African High Court regarding a class action lawsuit for lead poisoning, representing 140,000 Zambian children and women.
Other Reports:
- Trading Updates: Capita PLC (LSE:CPI), Serco Group PLC (LSE:SRP), SThree PLC (LSE:STEM)
- Interim Reports: Currys PLC, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC (LSE:GSF)
- Final Reports: Driver Group PLC (AIM:DRV), Integrafin Holdings PLC
- AGMs/EGMs: Aeorema Communications PLC (AIM:AEO), Arc Minerals Ltd, eEnergy Group PLC, Fidelity Special Values PLC (LSE:FSV), Fintech Asia Ltd (LSE:FINA), Grit Real Estate Income Group Ltd (LSE:GR1T), Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF), Marwyn Value Investors Ltd (LSE:MVI), Sareum Holdings PLC (AIM:SAR), Cobra Resources Plc (LSE:COBR), Molten Ventures PLC (LSE:GROW), Oakley Capital Investments Ltd (AIM:OCI)
- US Earnings: Costco Wholesale Corp
- Economic Announcements: BoE Interest Rate Decision (UK), ECB Policy Decision, Continuing Claims (US), Import and Export Price Indices (US), Initial Jobless Claims (US), Retail Sales (US), Business Inventories (US)
Friday, December 15 Financial Events:
- AGMs/EGMs: Abingdon Health Ltd, Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA), Bellway PLC (LSE:BWY), DCI Advisors Ltd, Frontier IP Group PLC (AIM:FIPP), Renalytix PLC (AIM:RENX), Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust PLC, Thor Explorations Ltd (TSX-V:THX, AIM:THX, OTC:THXPF), Ultimate Products PLC, Wentworth Resources PLC (AIM:WEN), Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Ltd (LSE:SREI)
- US Earnings: Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI)
- Economic Announcements: Flash PMIs (UK, US, EU), GFK Consumer Confidence (UK), Industrial Production (US)
