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The week ahead - Mixed bag with WPP, Prudential and ASOS in focus

Last updated: 07:59 08 Mar 2015 GMT, First published: 08:59 08 Mar 2015 GMT

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First up next week, global advertising giant WPP sends out its fourth quarter figures.

The firm is classed as the bellwether of the advertising industry and, as such, is widely regarded as a global economic barometer.

As a result, its outlook for the year ahead will be worth noting by investors.

Other areas to concentrate on will be the growth of new media related business and its performance in emerging markets.

“With the share price trading close to an all-time high, the market will be expecting a positive update,” said broker The Share Centre.

On Tuesday, insurance giant Prudential releases full-year numbers.

The company reported a 17% rise in first-half operating profits last year. Its US and Asian businesses were the biggest gainers, while the UK division announced a 10% jump in operating profits.

“The company’s CEO Tidjane Thiam still plans to grow the company ‘aggressively’ in Asia even though the region is slowing,” said spread betting firm IG Group.

The aim is still seeking opportunities in the Far East, and the failed takeover attempt of AIA in 2012 means he has unfinished business in Asia.

The consensus for Prudential’s figures is for revenue of £54.48 billion and adjusted net income of £2.44 billion. These estimates equate to a 4% increase in revenue and a 5.3% rise in adjusted net income.

Equity analysts are bullish on Prudential, and out of the 25 recommendations, 18 are buys, five are holds, and only two are sells

Later on in the week, online clothes retailer house ASOS (LON:ACS) will publish fourth quarter numbers.

Deutsche Bank believes the fashion firm’s focus on international price re-positioning, while building out supporting infrastructure to deliver lower costs, better FX alignment and higher service levels is the right one.

On the same day, Morrison updates on its final quarter and investors will be seeking more on its plans for turning the business around.

Morrison’s is the least diversified business model of the large food and  drug retailers and is likely to have found Q4 a struggle.

Ahead of CEO David Potts taking the helm on 16 March, speculation of a dividend cut in the press will be watched closely by investors.

Monday:

Finals: WPP (LON:WPP), Mincon Group (LON:MCON), Clarkson (LON:CKN)

Interims: Gemfields (LON:GEM), Abcam (LON:ABC)

Economic announcements expected: Germany trade balances, Japan money supply, Canada housing stats

Tuesday:

Finals: Prudential (LON:PRU), StatPro Group (LON:SOG), Cairn Energy (LON:CNE), esure Group (LON:ESUR), Inchcape (LON:INCH), Hill & Smith Holdingss (LON:HILS), Menzies (LON:MNZS)

Interims: Close Brothers Group (LON:CBG), Craneware (LON:CRW)

Economic announcements expected: China CPI, US jobs openings, Japan machine orders

Wednesday:

Finals: Foxtons Group (LON:FOXT), bwin.party digital (LON:BPTY), Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LON:HIK), Centaur Media (LON:CAU), Ferrexpo (LON:FXPO)

Trading statements: boohoo.com (LON:BOO)

Economic announcements expected: China retail sales, UK manufacturing production, US monthly budget statement.

Thursday:

Finals: Morrison (LON:MRW), Cineworld (LON:CINE), Computacenter (LON:CCC) , TT Electronics (LON:TTG)

Interims: ASOS (LON:ASC), Home Retail Group (LON:HOM)

Trading statements: UK RICS house price inflation, UK trade balance, US retail sales,

Friday:

Finals: Oxford Biomedica,

Interims: Forte Energy (LON:FTE), Wetherspoon (LON:JDW)

Trading statements: Japan industrial production, UK construction output.

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