Week ahead: GDP figures in spotlight

ALL eyes will be on fresh GDP readings for the UK economy when they are released on Wednesday.

Sainsburys is expected to see sales slip again. Picture: Getty Images

Many economists, including Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight, expect growth to be confirmed at 0.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter in Q2, though that could well ease in the current period.

However, there is the potential for significant revisions as the Office for National Statistics will be amending the national accounts data going back as far as 1997.

Monday

• Filtronic– A quiet start to the week on the reporting front will see the radio and microwave components specialist delivers full-year results.

Tuesday

• CBI – The business group releases its distributive trades snapshot of the retail sector.

• Wolseley – Year–end results from the plumbing and building materials heavyweight.

Wednesday

• Sainsbury’s – The grocery giant is expected to see sales slip again when it updates on quarterly trading though it appears to be doing better than rivals.

• Topps Tiles – The retailer is set to benefit from rising consumer wages, new stores and a product revamp when it posts its latest numbers.

Thursday

• PMI – The purchasing managers’ index is likely to indicate that manufacturing activity remained muted in September, as overall orders continued to be held back by weakened foreign demand.

Friday

• FirstGroup – The Aberdeen–based transport operator will update the market on the progress of its plans to boost its bus division to make up for shortfalls at its rail business, which has lost a series of franchises.

• PMI – This time it’s the turn of the purchasing managers’ index for Britain’s up–and–down construction sector.