Thursday preview: UK general election in focus

11th Dec 2019 14:42

(Sharecast News) - Trading on Thursday is likely to be restrained with investors around the globe likely to opt and sit on their hands ahead of the result of the UK general election, which in theory will not be clear until Friday morning.


Nonetheless, Asian markets are likely to take their cue, from the exit poll scheduled to be published at 2200 GMT and the first voting results due out in the early hours of the night.

Against that backdrop, ministers from the European Union are scheduled to meet for a summit at which both Brexit and preparations for the negotiations on future EU and UK relations after withdrawal are to be discussed.

Also scheduled for Thursday is a policy meeting of the European Central Bank's governing council, with the pocliy decision due to be announced at 1330 GMT.

In the States meanwhile, and also at 1330 GMT, producer price figures for November and weekly jobless claims data are set for release.



For Superdry's half-year figures, UBS's Niraj Amin has penciled-in a 10% drop in underlying profits before tax, excluding onerous lease provisions/reduced depreciation, of £3.0m on the back of an 11.0% decline in sales to £368.0m.

The fashion retailer's cost rations were seen higher for the period due to operating deleverage, the analyst said, with cost savings expected to be second half weighted.

The key points of focus for investors, according to Amin, would be the company's performance during Black Friday given how promotions were limited to legacy product ranges and the digital channel, customer uptake of new products and the reaction from its wholesale partners to the new product ranges.

Thursday December 12

INTERIMS

Dixons Carphone , Fuller Smith & Turner, Polar Capital Technology Trust, Purplebricks Group, Versarien , Vianet Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

British American Inv Trust, Inspired Energy

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

3i Group, 600 Group, Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, Charles Stanley Group, Clipper Logistics , Cranswick, Discoverie Group, FIH Group , Genel Energy, JPMorgan Euro Small Co. Trust, Manolete Partners, Northgate, OPG Power Ventures, Severfield, ULS Technology , Ventus VCT D Shs, Ventus 2 VCT, Ventus 2 VCT 'C' Shares, Ventus 2 VCT D Shs, Ventus VCT, Ventus VCT 'C' Shares, VP

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Brunner Inv Trust

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Alpha Real Trust Ltd., Assura , BMO Commercial Property Trust Limited, Cineworld Group, Contour Global , Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, XP Power Ltd. (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

ECB Interest Rate (EU) (12:45)

Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Producer Price Index (US) (13:30)

FINALS

CareTech Holding, TUI AG Reg Shs (DI)

AGMS

Amiad Water Systems Ltd, Bacanora Lithium, Bioventix, Blancco Technology Group, Fidelity Special Values, Lok'n Store Group, Orchard Funding Group , Pipehawk, Volution Group, Wilmcote Holdings NPV, Zinc Media Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ocado Group, PZ Cussons, Serco Group

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

1pm, European Opportunities Trust

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Associated British Foods, Daily Mail and General Trust A (Non.V), Marston's, NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited Ext Shs, Northamber, Numis Corporation, Oxford Metrics, Pan African Resources