The top 6 stories to look out for (22-26 February 2016)
1. 22-26 FEB
UK banks go head to head
Will this week’s full-year numbers from HSBC (Mon), Standard Chartered (Tue), Lloyds (Thu) and RBS (Fri) reinforce the negativity around a sector that is likely to face increasing challenges ahead?
2. 22-24 FEB
Positive outlook for housebuilders
Rising house prices, low mortgage rates and limited stock offers a positive combination ahead of results from Bovis Homes (Mon), Persimmon (Tue) and Barratt Developments (Wed).
3. 23 & 26 FEB
Ladbrokes and William Hill facing tough competition
Stricter taxes and online competition have hurt earnings, but this year’s Olympics and European Championship could offer a boost for Ladbrokes and William Hill.
4. THU 25 FEB
Has the Kraft Heinz merger worked?
Having merged in 2015 with the backing of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, Kraft Heinz’s net loss ballooned because of integration costs last quarter, so this will be the first real test that the unified company can save costs.
5. THU 25 FEB
Merlin Entertainments rebuilds reputation
After last summer’s tragic events at Alton Towers, where a number of people suffered serious injury, Merlin Entertainment’s share price has staged a recovery from last summer’s lows thanks to its handling of the tragedy and other attractions in Asia Pacific.
6. FRI 26 FEB
US Q4 GDP revision expected to disappoint
A stream of weak economic data has dramatically altered the outlook on US rates, and Friday’s Q4 GDP data is likely to reflect that, with an expected revision to 0.3%, from 0.7%.
Full version of forex economic calendar.
