(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) Thursday has a bit of a boozy feel with pubs groups Marston's and slated to report.
Marston’s brewer of Pedigree bitter is expected to post growth in its first half sales and profits.
Any news on the group’s progress with opening new pubs and prospects for the recent acquisition of Daniel Thwaites’ trading operations will also attract investors’ attention.
“The healthy dividend is one of the main features of this stock for many so the market will be hoping to see that the company is on track to deliver the expected 5% rise in its payout for the full year” according to Sheridan Admans at the Share Centre.
Marston’s shares appear to have moved into a new trading range with the current price around 1630p having spent more than a year unable to break through the 155p level notes Langton Capital.
Half-year results from Harvester and Toby Carvery operator will see the group reporting on current trading and perhaps making a comment in passing on to massively cut back on its estate.
Investors will be interested in an update on the integration of the Orchid pubs into its portfolio.
The pubs groups – the ones that aren't brewing groups anyway – are often characterised as glorified property companies but the genuine article – – is reporting on Thursday.
UBS is forecasting earnings per share of 30.7p and will be looking for commentary on the strength of the London office market and whether strong retail sales are translating into retail growth in the real estate investment trust's portfolio.
“ has also made significant progress in piecing together a 50 acre 7m sq ft mixed-use development scheme in Canada Water but until now this has been a relatively minor talking point during its results – further discussion will be of strong interest given the vast scale of this scheme” UBS reckons.
“Food retail will continue to be a focus particularly given the write-downs recently reported. Following 's recent deal with 's stand-alone food store weighting has reduced to 8% (from 10%) and the number of standalone food stores down to 58 (from 79). The recent strong lettings in Leadenhall (e.g. £90/sq ft) are vindicating 's leasing strategy on the development and have a positive read-across for City rents and valuations” the Swiss bank added.
Significant announcements expected
Interims: () () Marston’s () ()
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Trading statements: () FBD Holdings (LON:FBH) Irish Continental () () () () The Rank Group () SIG () Vesuvius ()
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