S&P Futures

HSBC Awaiting data but expected to produce it's biggest ever profits

Pearson are very bullish regarding the future as they posted a 2.8 percent rise in profit to 410 million on turnover down six percent to 4.05 billion pounds ahead of market forecast. They said the sales at the Penguin  book range was suffering. A net deficit was expected so a good result.

GKN posted an eight percent fall in annual profit to 246 million pounds at the top end of forecasts and said despite improving markets competitive pressures remain intense.

Wolfson Microelectronics supplier of parts for DVD players and cameras reported maiden profits as a listed company of $12.5 million for 2003, a 247 percent increase on the previous year in line with forecasts. 2004 has started with a strong backlog of orders and healthy demand for its products

British Vita furniture foam maker reported a 16 percent fall in annual profit to 61.5 million pounds withi market expectations.

ISIS Asset Management fund firm posted an expected 14.8 percent rise in profits for the year to 24.8 million pounds helped by cost cutting and firmer stock markets

Persimmon homes reported a 32 percent rise to 352.5 million pounds in annual profit that beat forecasts of 341.5 million.

Aggregate Industries reported a four percent rise in annual profit 140.1 million pounds at the lower end of forecasts of 147 million.

Invensys said it had raised the size of its new credit facilities by 50 million pounds as it priced its 475 million euro ($593 million) and $550 million senior notes.

Exel storage and delivery firm posted a better-than-expected 9.7 percent rise in 2003 profit to 148.4 million pounds and said it was well placed to make good underlying sales and profit progress this year.

Inchcape car dealer reported profits of 135.8 million pounds at the top of expectations and was upbeat about prospects for the current year despite the weakness of the U.S. dollar.

Close Brothers merchant bank reported a 46%increase in first-half profits to 57.8 million pounds, ahead of expectations, and said the outlook for its investment banking unit was much improved.

 Benchmark Group (I), Close Brothers (I), Aggregate Industries (F), Aggreko(F), British Polythene(F). British Vita (F), Exel (F), GKN (F), Hammerson (F), HSBC (F), Imprint (F), Inchcape (F), LogicaCMG (F), Management Consulting Group (F), Nestor Healthcare (F), Pearson (F), Persimmon (F), StatPro (F), Systems Union (F), Vitec Group (F), Wolfson(F), Microelectronics (F)

Feb manufacturing sector PMI (09:30) Jan Consumer Credit (09:30) Jan Final M4/M4 lending (09:30)

1.30pm Personal Income 1.30pm Personal Spending 3.00pm Construction Spending 3.00pm ISM Index

5.00pm Auto Sales 5.00pm Truck Sales

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