(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK)
With things volatile in the mining sector traders will undoubtedly be interested to hear what major gold producer Randgold (LON:RRS) has to say for itself on Monday when it posts 2015 results.
It's one of some big stocks up next week. Among them also is holiday operator Thomas Cook (LON:TCG) engineer Rolls Royce (LON:RR.) and chip designer ARM Holdings (LON:ARM).
Commodity stocks enjoyed a mini-boost at the tail-end of last week as the US dollar firmed and prices improved. Anglo American (LON:AAL) notably saw huge gains Thursday as it was thought short sellers rapidly closed out positions.
In November Randgold revealed the weak gold price had taken its toll on the third quarter with revenues down 11% year-on-year while profits fell to US$57mln from US$79.6mln the year before.
Group production at 305000 ounces was a shade above a forecast from one broker Dundee Capital - of 301000 at total cash costs of US$699 per ounce versus that broker's expectation of US$670 per ounce.
Ahead of Monday's update City broker Numis rates Randgold an 'add' with a target of 5500p (current price - 5240p).
Analyst Jonathan Guy said for 2015 he expects production of 1.183Moz at a cash cost of US$698/oz with EPS of US$1.94/share marginally below Bloomberg Gold consensus.
"RRS should now be past the peak for the current capex cycle and we expect YE cash to be US$178 million up from US$168 million at the end of Q3" he said.
Wednesday sees fourth quarter figures from ARM Holdings which has according the Share Centre produced some good numbers of late as licensing deals and royalty revenues have shown good growth due to growing demand.
"However recently there has been some concern due to slowing sales of Apple iPhones which is a key revenue generator for the group. Consumers have also been happier to buy lower end smart phones or hold on to their older phones for longer which is additionally likely to affect royalties and margins" says Graham Spooner rating shares a 'hold'.
The same analyst recommends a 'buy' for troubled of late giant Rolls which publishes Q4 figures on Friday.
"The company has had a very tough time which has not been helped by the lower oil price affecting its marine division. Warren East has taken over as CEO and previously announced a major restructuring of the business with a layer of senior management already moved on" he says adding investors will be wondering what else is in the pipeline.
"We remain unenthusiastic about the investment merits of Thomas Cook: we believe that the basic business model continues to face structural challenges" says Numis ahead of what it expects will be a "muted" trading statement on Thursday.
The trading outlook has been impacted by terrorist events and macro-economic uncertainty said analyst Wyn Ellis rating shares a 'hold'.
Late last month Thomas Cook joined TUI in cancelling its Summer 2016 Tunisia programme and it has cancelled its flight and holiday programme to Sharm el Sheikh up to and including 23 March 2016 the broker notes.
"More recently there is evidence that the Zika virus is affecting customer confidence with Jamaica becoming the latest Caribbean island to be infected with the virus.
"The net result is a switch in customer booking patterns with the Western Mediterranean becoming a destination of choice" says the analyst.
Significant announcements expected -
Monday
Finals: Randgold Resources (LON:RRS)
Tuesday
Q3 Results Sophos (LON:SOPH)
Interims: Redrow (LON:RDW)
Trading statement ICAP
Wednesday
Finals Tullow Oil (LON:TLW)
Interims Dunelm Group (LON:DNLM)
Trading statement ARM Holdings (LON:ARM) Bellway (LON:BWY)
Great Portland (LON:GPOR) Greene King (LON:GNK)
Thursday
Finals Henderson (LON:HGG); Informa (LON:INF); Rio Tinto (LON:RIO); Shire (LON:SHP)
Interims Ashmore (LON:ASHM)
Trading statement - Cable & Wireless (LON:CW.); Dairy Crest (LON:DCG); Halma (LON:HLMA); Imperial Tobacco (LON:IMT); Pennon (LON:PNN); SABMiller (LON:SAB); Tate & Lyle (LON:TATE) Thomas Cook (LON:TCG)
Production report Glencore (LON:GLEN)
Friday
Finals Rolls-Royce (LON:RR.)
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