A Brief Look At The Week Ahead

This week sees another round of retail sector trading updates, led by Tesco. Analysts expect UK like-for-like sales growth during the Christmas period to be about 5.5% to 6%, against last year's bumper 7.6%. Last week's TNS data showed evidence of a slight deceleration in Tesco's growth; 9% versus 13.5% last year. All will be revealed Tuesday. Analysts expect mixed results from both DSG International, formerly known as Dixons, and Kesa on Wednesday. DSG is expected to report a pre-tax interim profit of around 94m, with a fairly flat like-for-like sales figures. In contrast, Kesa is likely to show a turn-around at the struggling UK Comet, with its French outlets still suffering from a price war and last year's riots. Fashion brand Ted Baker may surprise on the upside on Thursday with some evidence of strong Christmas trading. Not only has mens-wear sold well in its concessions in department stores such as House of Fraser, but Boots moved a phenomenal one million Ted Baker gift packages during the Christmas period. P&O's planned EGM will get under way this week, before being immediately adjourned. The ports group is allowing time for new suitor PSA International, an arm of the state-backed Singaporean investment group Temasek, to continue due diligence. The group has indicated it could offer 470p a share, or 3.53bn, for the business, trumping an earlier agreed bid from Dubai Ports World. SABMiller posts Q3 volume data on Wednesday. JPMorgan expects the brewer to report a 4.3% rise in beverage volumes. While volumes at US brewer Miller may weaken, this is likely to be offset by an improving Bavaria division Among others in the limelight in London this week will be Pace Micro, Cairn Energy and JD Sports on Tuesday; Woolworths on Wednesday and Vedanta on Thursday. Those of you who follow activity across the Atlantic should enjoy Tuesday when IBM, Intel and Yahoo are all slated to publish final results. That should keep us all alert...... Good hunting! Greystone (Greystone is Alan English, City Editor at MoneyAM.)

Weekend press

Aus close

Outlook

Good morning traders!

Across Asia overnight, the Nikkei closed 186.92 points lower at 16,268.03, while the Hang Seng began its afternoon session 23.66 points lower at 15,764.31.

Off to find some UK news...

Happy trading!

G.

Good morning all.

Morning all

VED flying,it'll be entering the ftse100 !!! buy before the trackers have to.

Midday Market Summary

Good afternoon all

End-of-day Market Summary