London’s results season is still underway with life insurers Aviva and L&G, bookmaker Entain, cybersecurity specialist Darktrace, and sausage roll maker Greggs all set to release results this week.
In addition, there are two major central bank decisions (Japan and Canada) and some economic data that are likely to inform the central banks of England, the US, and the EU. The US jobs report, in particular, is expected to be significant.
Monday 6th March
Shipbroker Clarkson and in-car monitoring group Seeing Machines are anticipated to release optimistic results on Monday. In January, Clarkson informed its investors that it is likely to surpass market forecasts due to its robust trading during the last quarter. Meanwhile, Seeing Machines announced record first-half results last month and stated that it is on track to meet its full-year expectations.
Additionally, there are some significant announcements scheduled for Monday, including interim results from Craneware PLC and Seeing Machines Ltd, and final results from BATM Advanced Communications Ltd and Clarkson PLC. The economic announcements for the day include PMI Construction for the UK and Factory Orders for the US.
Tuesday 7th March
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC (LSE: DLG) is set to release its results soon after the CEO, Penny James, agreed to step down with immediate effect, following a surprise profit warning and the cancellation of its dividend, in response to increased weather-related claims and inflation in its motor division. Investors in Greggs PLC (LSE: GRG) will be keen to hear about recent cost and price inflation, as well as the company’s plans for store expansion and shareholder returns.
On Tuesday, there are some significant announcements, including trading updates from Ashtead Group PLC and Ferguson PLC, interim results from dotDigital Group PLC and Revolution Bars Group PLC, and final results from Direct Line Insurance Group PLC, Elementis plc, Foxtons (LSE: FOXT) Group PLC, Fresnillo, Greggs PLC, H & T Group, IWG PLC, Johnson Service Group plc, Just Group PLC, Keller Group PLC, Reach PLC, and STV Group Plc.
The economic announcements for the day include BRC Sales Monitor and Halifax House Price Index for the UK, and Wholesales Inventories and Consumer Credits for the US. Additionally, CrowdStrike Holdings will report its US earnings on Tuesday.
Wednesday 8th March
Life company L&G and general insurer Admiral will be releasing their results on Wednesday, with their shares having had divergent movements leading up to the release. Additionally, the insurance sector will have another player reporting, Hiscox. Darktrace PLC (LSE: DARK) shares have been on a wild ride since going public in 2021, and investors will likely be looking for an update after a short-seller criticized the quality of its accounting measures. Wealth manager Quilter will also be reporting, and analysts at Citi have issued a ‘sell’ rating, citing weak performance and outflows from its active fund range as potential sources of reduced profits.
Wednesday’s significant announcements include interim results from Darktrace PLC, Galliford Try Holdings PLC, and Netcall PLC, and final results from Admiral PLC, Bakkavor Group PLC, Breedon Group Plc, CLS Holdings Plc, F & C Investment Trust, Headlam Group (LSE: HEAD) PLC, Hill & Smith PLC, Hiscox Ltd, Ibstock PLC, Legal & General Group PLC, Quilter PLC, Somero Enterprises Inc, Spirent Communications (LSE: SPT) PLC, T Clarke PLC, Tritax Big Box REIT PLC, TT Electronics PLC, Tullow Oil PLC, and Vistry Group PLC.
There will also be AGMs for Henderson Opportunities Trust PLC and Jersey Electrical PLC, and economic announcements for MBA Mortgage Applications, Balance of Trade, and Crude Oil Inventories in the US. Furthermore, Asana will report its US earnings on Wednesday.
Thursday 9th March
Aviva PLC (LSE: AV.) will release its results on Thursday, following its life insurance rival from earlier in the week. The spotlight will be on shareholder returns as well as potential uses for the company’s spare cash. Entain PLC (LSE: ENT), which always welcomes spare cash from its customers, will also be reporting, and the focus of its results will likely be on the progress of its US joint venture towards turning a profit. In addition, John Lewis Partnership, a company with significant influence on the high street despite not being listed, is scheduled to release its results on Thursday, fresh from the shock exit of a key executive.
Thursday’s significant announcements include trading updates from DS Smith PLC, interim results from Hansard Global (LSE: HSD) PLC, Kier Group PLC, Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC, and Volution Group PLC, and final results from Aviva PLC, ConvaTec Group PLC, Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC, Domino’s Pizza, Entain PLC, Forterra PLC, Franchise Brands PLC, Harbour Energy PLC, Hammersmith PLC, Informa PLC, M&G PLC, Network International Holdings PLC, Oakley Capital Investments Ltd, PageGroup PLC, Robert Walters PLC, and Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC.
There will also be ex-dividends that will reduce FTSE 100 by 8.36 points (Beazley PLC, Melrose Industries PLC, Rio Tinto PLC), an AGM for CT UK Capital & Incomes Inv Trust PLC, and economic announcements for RICS Housing Market Survey in the UK, Continuing Claims, and Initial Jobless Claims in the US. Furthermore, DocuSign will report its US earnings on Thursday.
Friday 10th March
Housebuilding giants continue to reveal their financial results, with Berkeley Group Holdings set to announce after Vistry earlier in the week, and Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey doing so the week before. While Persimmon shares dropped due to the warning of a drop in expected completions in 2023 impacting margins, falling house prices may also be referenced.
In other news, the week will feature major macro data, including the US non-farm payrolls.
Significant announcements expected on Friday:
Trading updates: Berkeley Group Holdings PLC (LSE: BKG)
Interims: Mineral & Financial Investments Ltd (AIM: MAFL)
AGMs: Atrato Onsite Energy
Economic announcements: Balance of Trade (UK), Gross Domestic Product (UK), Index of Services (UK), Industrial Production (UK), Manufacturing Production (UK), Non-Farm Payrolls (US), Unemployment Rate (US), U. of Michigan Confidence (Prelim) (US)
