In the upcoming week, first-quarter updates from three of the FTSE 100’s five largest companies – HSBC, Shell, and BP – will be released, along with updates from a range of firms across various sectors, such as Lloyds, Flutter, Next, IAG, and Aston Martin.
Macroeconomic factors that could overshadow these updates include interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.
US companies set to report earnings include AMD, Airbnb, Ford, Pfizer, and Starbucks.
MONDAY, MAY 1
Monday marks the May Day bank holiday in the UK and Labour Day celebrations throughout much of the EU.
However, there is no corresponding break for workers in the US until September.
Some intriguing macroeconomic data and earnings reports from MicroStrategy, the world’s largest Bitcoin holder, will be released in the US.
Notable announcements on Monday:
US earnings: Arista Networks Inc, MicroStrategy Inc
Economic announcements: PMI Manufacturing (US), Construction Spending (US), ISM Manufacturing (US), ISM Prices Paid (US)
TUESDAY, MAY 2
On Tuesday, two of the FTSE 100’s top-five companies, HSBC and BP, will report their earnings.
HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA) has an opportunity to gain investor support with a strong first quarter, just a week before facing a high-stakes shareholder vote on spinning off its Asian businesses. The multinational bank, arguing that the proposals would severely impact its earnings, returns, dividends, and shareholder value, is anticipated to demonstrate its resilience amid recent banking sector fluctuations by announcing more buybacks and additional incentives for investors.
Meanwhile, BP PLC (LSE:BP.) will also address investor concerns and share buybacks, although it has already overcome challenges regarding its climate change measures and chairman selection. With crude oil prices significantly lower than last year’s highs and other financial demands, substantial shareholder returns are not guaranteed.
Notable announcements on Tuesday:
Trading updates: BP PLC, HSBC Holdings PLC
Finals: Facilities by ADF PLC (AIM:ADF)
US earnings: Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE), Advanced Micro Devices Inc, Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ:ABNB), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX)
AGMs: AVI Japan Opportunity Trust PLC, Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC, OTCQX:DECPF), HSBC Holdings PLC, IOG PLC (AIM:IOG), Ocado Group PLC (LSE:OCDO), Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS)
Economic announcements: PMI Manufacturing (UK), Factory Orders (US), Auto Sales (US)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
Before the Fed policy decision later in the day, Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) concludes the FTSE 100 bank reporting season on Wednesday. Its shares have fallen 2.5% in the week leading up to the release, as investors analyze data from its competitors.
Similar to other banks, Lloyds’ management has warned of an expected decline in interest margins for the first quarter. However, analysts believe this estimation was conservative and see potential for buybacks.
Flutter Entertainment PLC (LSE:FLTR) recently gained shareholder approval for a New York listing in addition to its London one, ahead of its results announcement. The UK gambling review has been relatively mild compared to measures already implemented by industry giants. Analysts anticipate a strong first quarter based on updates from competitors.
Aston Martin’s unexpected comeback has been a highlight of the Formula One season, with its shares increasing over 50% year-to-date. Analysts predict that Wednesday’s first quarter figures will confirm the company’s financial improvement, although there are some doubts about the recent rally’s sustainability.
Barratt Developments PLC (LSE:BDEV) has also performed well this year, outpacing many of its peers as the sector recovers from a year of significant downturns. Investors will be eager to see if positive results from another competitor signal a more certain recovery, with a focus on house selling prices, building costs, and potential decreases in land market prices.
Notable announcements on Wednesday:
Trading updates: Barratt Developments PLC, Coca Cola HBC PLC, Flutter Entertainment PLC, Haleon PLC (LSE:HLN, NYSE:HLN), Lloyds Banking Group PLC, OSB Group PLC (LSE:OSB), TI Fluid Systems PLC (LSE:TIFS)
Interims: Smiths News PLC (LSE:SNWS), Ten Lifestyle Group (AIM:TENG) PLC
Finals: Ashtead Technology Holdings PLC (AIM:AT.), Cambridge Cognition Holdings PLC (AIM:COG), Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC (AIM:IHC)
US earnings: Barrick Gold Corporation, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc, The Kraft Heinz Company, Etsy (NASDAQ:ETSY) Inc, Qualcomm Inc, Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER)
AGMs: Apax Global Alpha Ltd, Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC), Elementis plc (LSE:ELM), GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK), Logistics Development Group PLC (AIM:LDG), Okyo Pharma Ltd, Pershing Square Holdings (LSE:PSH) Ltd, Reach PLC (LSE:RCH), Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (LSE:RKT, ETR:3RB), Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN), Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR)
Economic announcements: MBA Mortgage Applications (US), PMI Composite (US), PMI Services (US), ISM Prices Paid (US), ISM Services (US), Crude Oil Inventories (US)
THURSDAY, MAY 4
Two days after its major local competitor, Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL) will report its earnings, with analysts expressing confidence in the company’s ability to increase shareholder returns. Shell has ample cash on hand and could easily afford a 25% dividend hike.
In contrast, Next PLC (LSE:NXT) is not expected to announce significant profits, as sales are anticipated to have declined in the past quarter and possibly the next one as well.
After the blue-chip lenders have shared their updates, challenger bank Virgin Money UK PLC (LSE:VMUK) has an opportunity to disprove skeptics, as its shares have been the worst-performing among the UK-focused FTSE 350 banks year-to-date. However, analysts noted “solid trends” in the company’s first-quarter trading statement in February, with its shares trading at a discount compared to the broader sector.
Notable announcements on Thursday:
Trading updates: Derwent London PLC (AIM:DLN), Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LSE:HL.), Hiscox, IMI, Mondi PLC (LSE:MNDI), Morgan Sindall Group PLC (LSE:MGNS), Next PLC, Endeavour Mining PLC (LSE:EDV, TSX:EDV, OTCQX:EDVMF), Rathbones Group PLC (LSE:RAT, OTC:RTBBF), Shell PLC, Travis Perkins (LSE:TPK) PLC
Interims: Virgin Money UK PLC
Finals: Trainline PLC (LSE:TRN)
US earnings: Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL), Moderna Inc, Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) A/S, Shopify Inc (TSX:SH., NYSE:SHOP), Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Block Inc (NYSE:SQ), Lemonade Inc
Ex-dividend to reduce FTSE 100 by: 8.68
AGMs: AIB Group PLC (LSE:AIBG), Allianz Technology Trust PLC (LSE:ATT), Aviva PLC (LSE:AV.), BiVictriX Therapeutics PLC (AIM:BVX, OTC:BVTXF), Domino’s Pizza Group PLC, Glanbia PLC (LSE:GLB), Grafton Group PLC (ISE:GFTU), Hammerson PLC (LSE:HMSO), Howden, Joinery Group PLC, IMI PLC (LSE:IMI), Indivior PLC (LSE:INDV), ITV PLC (LSE:ITV), LungLife AI Inc (AIM:LLAI), Mincon Group PLC (AIM:MCON), Mondi PLC, Moneysupermarket.com (LSE:MONY) PLC, Morgan Sindall Group PLC, Personal Group Holdings PLC (AIM:PGH), Phoenix Group Holdings PLC (LSE:PHNX), Rathbones Group PLC, Rio Tinto PLC (LSE:RIO), Sig PLC, Ten Entertainment Group PLC (LSE:TEG), Travis Perkins PLC, Witan Investment Trust plc (LSE:WTAN)
Economic announcements: Consumer Credit (UK), M4 Money Supply (UK), Mortgage Approvals (UK), PMI Composite (UK), PMI Construction (UK), PMI Services (UK), Balance of Trade (US), Continuing Claims (US), Initial Jobless Claims (US)
FRIDAY, MAY 5
As the UK approaches another long weekend, several holiday-related companies wrap up the week.
British Airways’ parent company, IAG, faces high expectations leading up to its first-quarter results, despite this typically being a quieter period for the company. Commentary regarding summer bookings will be crucial.
Notable announcements on Friday:
Trading updates: International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG), InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, RHI Magnesita NV
US earnings: AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:AMC) Inc
AGMs: Holders Technology (AIM:HDT) PLC, HSBC Holdings PLC, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Man Group PLC (LSE:EMG), Rightmove PLC (LSE:RMV), UK Oil & Gas PLC (AIM:UKOG)
Economic announcements: PMI Construction (UK), Non-Farm Payrolls (US), Unemployment Rate (US), Consumer Credit (US)
