Stagecoach in top gear ahead of agm

STAGECOACH recently told investors it had made a “satisfactory” start to its new financial year, and investors will learn today as the transport group delivers a first-quarter trading update.

A busy week for Stagecoach with Q1 update and agm in Perth

Shareholders will then gather on Friday for the bus and rail operator’s annual meeting in its home city of Perth.

London-focused estate agent Foxtons is expected to reflect the buoyant housing market when it posts half-year results tomorrow, while the growing economy is also tipped to have boosted profits at landscaping and paving specialist Marshalls, which delivers interim figures the following day.

Thursday also brings full-year results from recruiter Hays, which is eyeing operating profits of about £140 million.

WEEK AHEAD

Today

• Stagecoach – The transport giant, which was last week shortlisted to run the TransPennine Express rail franchise, updates investors on trading during the first quarter.

• Petrofac – First–half results are due from the oil and gas services group. Last week it said chairman Norman Murray, had stepped down for compassionate reasons.

• WPP – The advertising giant unveils its results for the six months to the end of June.

Tomorrow

• Iomart – Shareholders will be keen to hear more about the recent takeover approach from rival Host Europe when the Glasgow–based cloud computing specialist holds its annual meeting.

• One Savings Bank – Maiden half–year results are due from the owner of the former Kent Reliance building society, which floated in June.

• Services prices – The Office for National Statistics publishes its second–quarter estimate of price rises across the UK’s service sector.

Thursday

• CBI – The latest quarterly distributive trades survey is expected from the employers’ organisation.

• STV – Broadcaster announces results for the six months to 30 June. Digital revenues are expected to have continued recent strong growth.

• Unite – First–half results are due from the student accommodation specialist.

Friday

• BPI – The Greenock–based packaging maker delivers half–year figures, having told investors last month that the figures would be ahead of last year despite a production glitch in North America.

• Stagecoach – Rounding off a busy week for the bus and rail operator, shareholders gather in Perth for its annual meeting.