Thursday preview: Experian, Uniq

14th Apr 2010 15:02

Credit checking firm Experian is expected to provide sales figures on Thursday relating to the second half of its fiscal year or, if you prefer, the six months to the end of March.UBS is forecasting organic sales growth of 2% for the period, which suggests a pick-up in the fourth quarter after the company reported growth of just 1% for its third quarter. If that proves to be the case then UBS said it would represent "the first genuine improvement" in the growth rate since the fourth quarter of 2006.Back in January the company itself seemed fairly confident of a solid fourth quarter. "For the fourth quarter, we expect modest improvement in organic revenue growth. For the year as a whole we remain on track to grow profits at constant currency and deliver strong free cash flow,' said Don Robert, chief executive officer of Experian.Convenience foods group Uniq is a supplier to Marks & Spencer (M&S) so M&S's better than expected sales figures announced last week bode well for the company's full year results.Uniq has undergone a period of transformation, getting shot of many of its European interests, and there were signs in the fourth quarter that the slimmed down group was bulking up its sales. Sales grew by 4% in the 13 weeks to 26 December. In the desserts division, sales were up by 0.4% as a strategic plan took effect, helped by a good performance at Christmas.The 'Food to Go' division saw sales climb by 11.5%. Strong sales of sandwiches to M&S were partly offset by the decision of an airline supplied by Uniq to reduce food services on short haul flights.INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSBalance of Trade (EU) (10:00)Consumer Price Index(EU) (10:00)ECB Report (EU) (09:00)Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (EU) (10:00)Industrial Production (US) (14:15)Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)Empire State Manufacturing Survey (13:30)Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (15:00)Industrial Production (JPN)GMSNew Britain Palm Oil LimitedFINALSAmiad Filtration Systems, Hasgrove, Hightex, Michelmersh Brick Holdings, Westminster Group, X5 Retail Group GDR (Reg S)ANNUAL REPORTPetropavlovskIMSSEagaAGMSBP, Plant Health Care, Rio Tinto, Talvivaara Mining Company, Tiszai Vgyi. GDR (Reg S)TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTSExperian Group, Halfords Group, Rio TintoFINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATEPhoenix Group Holdings