Thursday preview: Debenhams, Anglo American, Petrofac

21st Oct 2009 17:52

Full year results from department store group Debenhams should see pre-tax profits comfortably ahead of last year's £106m, and in line with market expectations of £124m, despite the company reporting a 3.8% drop in second half like-for-like (LFL) sales last month.The dip in LFL sales was widely expected, as the company had warned of disruptions caused by store refurbishment as Debenhams moved to sell more of its own product in its stores.This week the company became the first UK department store to start selling its products on the eBay and Amazon web sites. 'A strong presence on the web is essential for any modern-day retailer. Our use of Amazon and eBay, as well as Debenhams.com, opens the door to millions of new customers,' said deputy chief executive Michael Sharp.Mining company Anglo American will follow in the footsteps of BHP and Xstrata and announce its third quarter production figures. The company may also pass comment on the decision of erstwhile suitor Xstrata not to proceed with its merger plans.Oilfield services firm Petrofac issues a trading statement which should reflect the improving levels of activity in oil exploration of late. INTERIMS Luminar, Stobart Group INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Henry Boot, Macfarlane Group, RPS Group, ToLuna INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30) Leading Indicators (US) FINALS Debenhams, Smiths News QUARTERLIESAnglo AmericanEGMS Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund Ltd. AGMS Forest Support Services, Jourdan, Mattioli Woods, Morse TRADING STATEMENTSPetrofacUK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Internet Retail Sales (09:30) Retail Sales (09:30) INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSWeekly Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)Leading Indicators (US) (15:00)Business Confidence Indicator (FRA) (07:45)Production Outlook Indicator (FRA) (07:45)Current Account (EC) (09:00)Debt/GDP Ratio estimate (EC) (10:00)Supermarket Sales (JPN)