Thursday preview: Frasers, AJ Bell results due

(Sharecast News) - Thursday sees the release of half-year results from Mike Ashley's Frasers Group, Baltic Classifieds and Watches of Switzerland. Full-year results from AJ Bell, Future and SSP, and a trading update from construction group Balfour Beatty will also be released.

As far as Frasers is concerned, AJ Bell's Russ Mould and Danni Hewson noted the shares are not that far away from 2022's all-time high "but, again, a soggy UK economy and an extra £50m in costs thanks to changes in national insurance contributions and minimum wages in the 2024 Budget have dampened sentiment a bit".

They pointed out that to mitigate the impact of those issues, Frasers has its Elevation Strategy, whereby it is branching out into more premium brands and chains; a drive to expand overseas; an efficiency programme; and also, the Frasers Plus buy now pay later service.

"The first-half results for the six months to October are due on Thursday 4 December, and ultimately, analysts will then see if chief executive Michael Murray sticks to his forecast for the full-year to March of adjusted pre-tax profit between £550m and £600m. That compares to £560m a year ago," they said.

On the macro front, the S&P Global UK construction PMI for November will be released at 0930 GMT.

Across the pond, Kroger's third-quarter earnings are due.

Thursday December 04

INTERIMS

Baltic Classifieds Group, Mind Gym

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Burford Capital NPV (DI)

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Babcock International Group, British Land Company, Cake Box Holdings, Caledonia Investments, Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited NPV, Goldplat, Helical, ICG, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, NEWCASTLE 10 3/4% PERM INT BEARING SHS #1000, Next, Ninety One , Pets at Home Group , SSE, Supreme , Telecom Plus, Triad Group, VP

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.NPV (CDI)

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Energean , GCP Asset Backed Income Fund Limited, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Payments (US) (13:30)

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Producer Price Index (10:00)

Retail Sales (10:00)

FINALS

AJ Bell, Future, Premier Miton Group, SSP Group , SSP Group , SSP Group

EGMS

Sydbank A/S Sydbank Ord Shs

AGMS

Bioventix, CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited, Doric Nimrod Air Three Limited Red Ord Pref Shs Npv, First Tin, Gabelli Merchant Partners, Harena Rare Earths, KCR Residential Reit, Ruffer Investment Company Ltd Red PTG Pref Shares, Supply@Me Capital , Volta Finance Limited, YouGov

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

PMI Construction (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Diageo

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Bellway, Croma Security Solutions Group, Ecclesiastical Insurance 8.625% Non-Cum Irr Pref Shares