press release
19 January 2017
The Forward Look
Graham Spooner, Investment Research Analyst at The Share Centre, gives his thoughts on what to expect from companies announcing results week commencing 23 January 2017.
Tuesday
Dixons Carphone (Q3 trading update) Christmas trading updates from the retail sector have been largely positive so far which has perhaps raised expectations for Dixons update. The group saw good growth in the first half and said it was optimistic about increasing market share across all its key markets. At the same time, the company also sounded a note of caution by saying that it had begun planning for the possibility of more uncertain times ahead. The trend towards more online sales should benefit the company as it has done well in that area in recent years.
We currently list Dixons Carphone as a BUY easyJet (Q1 results) The market will be hoping that the company has some better news than it produced in its full year results in November when it reported a cut in its dividend following a 28% drop in pre-tax profits. Investors were slightly spooked by the lack of forward guidance and comments from the company that it was experiencing a tougher operating environment. Recent monthly passenger statistics have been encouraging for the airline, but there was also bad news as Ryanair announced some new routes that will be in direct competition with easyJet.
We currently list easyJet as a HOLD
Wednesday
Companies reporting today include: Antofagasta (Q4 production report) - HOLD , BHP Billiton (Q4 operational review) – HOLD , Fresnillo (Q4 production report) - HOLD and Rio Tinto (Q4 results) - BUY
Thursday
3i Group (Q3 results) The group describes itself as a more "streamlined, decisive organisation focused on high performance and delivering attractive shareholder returns". The three year strategic plan, which involved cost cutting measures including, job cuts, disposals of lower quality investments and closing some of its offices around the world has for the most part been completed. The shares outperformed over 2016, pushing it to levels last seen in 2007.
We currently list 3i Group as a HOLD
Sage (Q1 trading update) Sage is one of the UK's biggest software providers servicing over 6 million companies across 100 different countries. The firm’s software packages are aimed at small to medium sized businesses to help with management processes, accounting and cash flow management, human resources and payroll services. For a technology share Sage is fairly defensive and investors will not be expecting anything too exciting. Perhaps an update on its North American payments unit will be most noteworthy.
We currently list Sage as a HOLD
Sky (Q2 results) Despite the company being dominated by the takeover approach, investors will still be keen to hear about customer numbers and its performance in Germany and Italy. Last time the group did not mention the churn rate so that will be interesting to look out for. Any
further comments relating to the takeover approach from 21st Century Fox, although unlikely to be too significant will also be of interest.
We currently list Sky as a HOLD
Companies also reporting today include: St. James’s Place (Q4 results) - BUY, Whitbread (Q3 results) - HOLD, Unilever (Q4 results) - BUY, Anglo American (Q4 results) – HOLD, Diageo (Q2 results) - BUY, RPC Group (Q2 results) – BUY
Friday
BT Group (Q3 results) BT’s consumer business has been performing well in recent times with good take-up of tv and broadband services. Having underperformed over the past year the shares have stabilised recently despite ongoing concerns about the state of the pension deficit, the need to separate Openreach and news of a £2.7m fine by Ofcom relating to overcharging customers. The market will be looking out for news on how EE is performing and how the roll-out of the ultrafast broadband programme is progressing.
We currently list BT Group as a BUY
Economic Diary
Announcements w/c 23 January
25 January, Quarterly Industrial Trends Survey – Confederation of British Industry Last month’s industrial trends survey reported the fastest growth in industrial output since 2014, chiming with recent Purchasing Managers Indexes, which have also risen sharply. However, last month the survey also indicated the highest rate of output price inflation since 2011.
26 January, UK GDP, preliminary estimate: October to December 2016 – Office for National Statistics In the third quarter of 2016, the UK economy grew by 0.6% quarter on quarter, according to
the most recent data from the ONS. The latest purchasing managers indexes are consistent with a slightly slower quarterly growth rate in the final quarter of 0.5%.
Further announcements include:
23 January • Quarterly Financial Services Survey – Confederation of British Industry
24 January • Public Sector Finances, December 2016 – Office for National Statistics
26 January • Monthly Distributive Trades Survey – Confederation of British Industry • UK index of services: November 2016 – Confederation of British Industry
---Ends---
Note to editors:
Please note that the dates stated in this article are indicative and could be subject to change which is beyond our control.
For further information please contact:
The Share Centre
Joe Dumont Sophie Hobart Isobel Shea Head of Corporate Communications PR Executive Corporate Communications Coordinator 01296 439 426 01296 439 129 01296 439 435 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Teamspirit PR
Adam Smith Kate Cunningham Leanne Tsang Associate Director Senior Account Manager Account Manager 020 7360 7816 020 7864 4138 020 7864 7856 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
To view all our press releases and more from our investment advisers please go to blog.share.com
2016 Highest Overall Client Satisfaction award - Investment Trends Best Customer Service – Investment Trends Best Stockbroker – Online Personal Wealth Awards Best Customer Service – Online Personal Wealth Awards Best for Fund/Stock Pickers – The Lang Cat Direct Platform Awards Best Online Stockbroker - ADVFN International Financial Awards
2015 Best Customer Service – Shares Magazine Best Online Stockbroker – Personal Finance Awards Highest Overall Client Satisfaction award - Investment Trends Best Customer Service – Investment Trends Best Customer Service – Online Personal Wealth Awards Best Stockbroker – Online Personal Wealth Awards Self Select ISA Provider of the Year - ADVFN International Financial Awards Best Online Stockbroker - ADVFN International Financial Awards
2014 Best Stockbroker for Customer Service – Financial Times and Investors Chronicle Best Online Stockbroker – Personal Finance Awards Best ISA Provider – Shares Magazine Highest Overall Client Satisfaction award - Investment Trends Best Customer Service – Investment Trends Best Stockbroker – MoneyAM Best Customer Service - MoneyAM
2013 Online Stockbroker of the Year - Financial Times and Investors Chronicle Execution-only Stockbroker of the year – Financial Times and Investors Chronicle Best Online Stockbroker – Personal Finance Awards
Risk Warnings:
Investing in general, and the products and services mentioned above may not be suitable for all: if in doubt, individuals should seek independent financial advice. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back their original investment. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
The bases and levels of taxation relating to ISAs, CTFs and SIPPs are subject to change and the value of these tax allowances may depend upon the circumstances of the individual.
About The Share Centre:
The Share Centre was established in 1990 to provide value-for-money share services for private investors. Its range of services includes buying and selling shares (by Internet, telephone and post) and a comprehensive share administration and safe custody service. Tax-efficient investment ‘wrappers’ including ISAs, CTFs and SIPPs are also available.
The Share Centre’s Advice team provides comment on market sectors, individual shares and funds on www.share.com. Access is available to customers and registered users of the site. Registration is free. To understand how our Advice team arrive at their views please read our Investment Research Policy. The Share Centre blog is also available at http://blog.share.com.
In addition, account customers can receive individual telephone advice on UK-listed shares.
The Share Centre Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference 146768.
Registered in England No. 2461949. Registered office: Oxford House, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP21 8SZ.