Wednesday preview: Ashtead reports, Chinese inflation, UK trade

9th Dec 2014 15:00

Ashtead's second quarter results are expected to reflect strong demand in the US and improving UK markets.Numis forecasts that the equipment rental company will report earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of £234m, up from £193m the previous year."Ashtead trades on a calendar 2015 estimated price earnings of 17 x and an enterprise value/EBITDA, and we scope for further earning s upgrades. We retain our 'add' rating," the broker said.On the macro-economic front, Chinese inflation will be released with analysts expecting a 1.6% year-on-year increase in November, in line with the prior month's growth. The government is targeting to keep inflation below 3.5% this year.In the UK, trade data is forecast to show the deficit narrowed in October to £2,400m from £2,838m in the previous month.Later in the US, the monthly budget statement for November will be unveiled along with mortgage applications for the week to 5 December.Wednesday 10 DecemberINTERIMSAshtead Group, Micro Focus International, Stagecoach GroupINTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATEBurford CapitalQUARTERLY PAYMENT DATECanaccord Genuity Group Inc., IBM Corp., M Winkworth, UnileverINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSCrude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)Treasury Budget Statement (US) (19:00)Q2Ashtead GroupGMSAmati VCT , Amati Vct 2, RENN Universal Growth Investment TrustFINALSAlternative NetworksIMSSCarillionSPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATECanaccord Genuity Group Inc.EGMSAer Lingus Group, Litebulb Group LtdAGMSARC Capital Holdings Ltd, Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd., Fidelity Special Values, New City High Yield Fund Ltd., Renewable Energy Generation Ltd., Summit Germany Limited, Westmount Energy Ltd., YouGovTRADING ANNOUNCEMENTSBrown (N.) Group, Carillion, PZ CussonsUK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSBalance of Trade (09:30)FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATEFinsbury Food Group