Thought I'd start my first ever moneyam.com thread:

Talk that Asda or Lowes might be considering a bid for the company.

KD.

We should have some trading news coming our way too, with Kingfisher the owner of B&Q and Screwfix -- giving us a fourth-quarter update on Thursday. Despite the retail hardships we've been experiencing, Kingfisher has been doing well, and rising profits for this year and next are expected.

On Thursday. Kingfisher is expected by broker Jefferies to give a solid second quarter update, despite the lousy weather recently. "A c.1% LFL [like-for-like] gain in both France and the UK should be taken well," the broker suggests. "We model for a broadly unchanged gross margin (reflecting range reviews and seasonal promotions in the UK, but sourcing progress in France) and strong cost control to allow for a broadly unchanged Q2 EBIT [second quarter earnings before interest and tax],"

Thursday has a retail theme with Kingfisher (Euronext: KFR.NX - news) , Halfords, Sports Direct (Frankfurt: A0MK5S - news) and Mothercare (LSE: MTC.L - news) all set to update the market. Do-it-yourself retailer Kingfisher is expected by broker Jefferies to give a solid second quarter update, despite the lousy weather recently. "A c.1% LFL [like-for-like] gain in both France and the UK should be taken well," the broker suggests. "We model for a broadly unchanged gross margin (reflecting range reviews and seasonal promotions in the UK, but sourcing progress in France) and strong cost control to allow for a broadly unchanged Q2 EBIT [second quarter earnings before interest and tax]," Jefferies says. The B&Q operations in the UK are tipped by Jefferies to show LFL growth of 0.7%, while Screwfix is seen increasing sales by 8%. In France, the broker is anticipating LFL gains of 1% at both Castorama and Brico. "Elsewhere internationally we expect softness in Poland (-2% LFL) and a tough China (-8% LFL given a shrinking property market), but strong progress in Russia and Turkey," the broker added.

Q1 Trading Update

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Neutral 355.10 355.10 290.00 375.00 Upgrades

Long KGF. Chart looks oversold and volume of buys to sells is convincing for the bull case. Fundys solid, plenty of cash. Self help scheme.

Q1 Trading Statement

European home improvement retailer Kingfisher on Wednesday said third quarter total sales rose 1.2% to £3.04bn in constant currency, while like-for-like sales were down 1.3% reflecting continued weak sales in its French Castorama business. The B&Q owner said it expected to grow gross margin after clearance in the UK, Poland and its Brico Dépôt unit France. "However the outlook for Castorama France is more uncertain given difficult trading and the ongoing impact of recent national demonstrations," the company said, adding that it was exiting Russia, Spain & Portugal to focus on markets "where we have, or can reach, a market leading position".