As the holiday season approaches, the financial sector is slowing down, but there’s still a trickle of corporate news and economic data for those working through the week.
Expect updates from Carnival, a cruise company, Hollywood Bowl, a bowling chain, and Hipgnosis, a music rights investment firm.
Monday, December 18:
- Company Previews: The week begins with Hollywood Bowl revealing its full-year results, sparking curiosity among investors about potential private equity interest, similar to its competitor Ten Entertainment.
- AGMs: Scheduled for Braemar PLC and Fandango Holdings PLC.
Tuesday, December 19:
- Company Previews: Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd is set to announce its interim results. After a period of uncertainty, investors are keen for clear financials and possibly news on strategic decisions following a recent crucial vote.
- Financial Highlights: The Bank of Japan might be in the spotlight for potential shifts in its longstanding negative interest rate policy.
- US Earnings: Reports expected from Accenture PLC and FedEx Corporation.
- AGMs: Scheduled for dotDigital Group PLC, Netcall PLC, Orosur Mining Inc, Technology Minerals PLC, Tristel PLC, and Zanaga Iron Ore Company Ltd.
- Economic Announcements: Key data on EU inflation, US building permits, and housing starts.
Wednesday, December 20:
- Company Previews: The main focus is on UK inflation data, expected to be the highlight in an otherwise subdued day.
- Financial Reports: Time Finance PLC and Jersey Electricity PLC to announce interim and final results, respectively.
- US Earnings: Micron Technology Inc set to release earnings.
- AGMs: Scheduled for AVI Global Trust PLC, Focusrite PLC, Northamber PLC, and Solgold PLC.
- Economic Announcements: Key UK economic indicators including the Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index, Public Sector Net Borrowing, and Retail Price Index. In the US, data on MBA Mortgage Applications, Current Account, Existing Home Sales, and Crude Oil Inventories will be released.
Thursday, December 21:
- Company Previews: Carnival PLC to provide a year-end update, marking its first profit since the pandemic, though some concerns persist.
- US Earnings: Nike Inc to announce earnings.
- AGMs: Beeks Financial Cloud Group PLC, Gfinity PLC, and Vietnam Holding Ltd to hold their annual general meetings.
- Economic Announcements: The UK will release public sector borrowing data. In the US, announcements will include GDP, Continuing Claims, Initial Jobless Claims, Personal Consumption Expenditures, and the Philadelphia Fed Index.
- FTSE 100 Impact: Ex-dividends expected to reduce the FTSE 100 index by 5.43 points.
Friday, December 22:
- London Stock Exchange: Closes early at 12:30 PM.
- Morning Economic Data: Key UK economic indicators including GDP, retail sales, and current account figures will be released, offering valuable insights for early traders. This will be followed by a comprehensive release of US economic data.
- Annual General Meetings (AGMs): Scheduled for Corcel PLC, European Metals Holdings Ltd, Gulf Investment Fund, Plexus Holdings PLC, and Wildcat Petroleum PLC.
- Economic Announcements: A range of important statistics will be announced, including the UK’s current account, GDP, and retail sales, along with US data on durable goods orders, personal consumption expenditures, income and spending, new home sales, and the final University of Michigan Confidence index.
