The week ahead

Published on Sunday 12 October 2008 20:57

AGGREKO shares have plunged in recent weeks, but analysts believe the company could announce more profit upgrades when it updates the market on third-quarter trading on Thursday.

The Glasgow-based company, which provides temporary power generators, has fallen by 37 per cent since the start of September, despite the company saying at the end of August that it expected to exceed market expectations.

On Friday, analysts at UBS increased their rating on the shares to "buy".

Analyst Alex Hugh said he expected Aggreko would at least be reassuring on its previous guidance, adding it was possible the company would brace the market to increase its forecasts after a boost from the US hurricane season.

Nationalised mortgage lender Northern Rock reports its latest trading figures tomorrow against the backdrop of a steadily worsening housing market.

During the first half of 2008 – when the bank was taken into public ownership – it racked up losses of 585.4 million.

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury's trading update is likely to show good progress as lower commodity prices ease the pressure on the business. In July, when the company posted a 46 per cent leap in first-half profits, it said that it would take "whatever measures necessary" to combat commodity cost rises.

Bellway's full-year figures will bring a dismal season of results and updates to a conclusion. In August, the Newcastle-based builder reported a 45 per cent plunge in transaction levels in the six months to 31 July.

Consensus forecasts suggest a 31 per cent fall in profits to around 161.3m for the year to 31 July, and a further tumble in earnings during the current year.

Rate-setters at the Bank of England will hope that tomorrow's inflation figures mark the peak in the spiralling cost of living seen this year. Inflation was driven upwards to 4.7 per cent in August by rising oil, food and energy prices.

Whitbread has proved resilient during the slowdown, and the City expects this trend to continue when the group reports interims tomorrow. Analysts are expecting underlying pre-tax profits of 119m for the six months to 30 September, up from 99.4m.