Blue-chip bank season resumes, with HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA).
Ahead of its update, the lender has attracted some praise recently from several analysts, though the recent updates from Barclays and NatWest has led to some revised-down views for the wider sector.
HSBC’s shares are flat over the past week as it has a different geographic emphasis from its more UK-focused rivals however, and analysts are expecting big profits and shareholder handouts.
Elsewhere, Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (LSE:IHG) has been an investor favourite in the run-up to its final results.
Analysts have had lots of positive things to say on the Holiday Inns owner ahead of the release, with some expecting it to join the recent trend for bumper shareholder returns.
Across the pond, there will be some interest for old and new school investments, with Coinbase Global Inc previously saying “re-evaluation of our key business metrics may include changes to or the elimination of certain metrics”, which was just days before former competitor FTX filed for bankruptcy.
In short, this means the fourth-quarter numbers should be interesting.
After Walmart last year falling to two-year lows on the back of reduced sales growth targets and falling short on profits due to higher costs, the retailer reported third-quarter revenues and that were both well above expectations.
The profit number for the quarter was wiped out by a one-off US$3.1bn opioid settlement, but full-year guidance was upgraded, with a US$20bn share buyback sweetener thrown in.
"The big question is whether Walmart will be able to meet this target given the slowdown in US retail sales seen at the end of last year," said analyst Michael Hewson at CMC Markets. "In previous quarters Walmart warned that rising prices were prompting a shift away from higher margin goods to lower margin everyday staples. Profits are expected to come in at $1.51c a share."
Significant announcements
Finals: Antofagasta PLC (LSE:ANTO), HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA), Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (LSE:IHG)
Interims: Blancco Technology Group (AIM:BLTG), Finsbury Food Group (AIM:FIF), Springfield Properties PLC (AIM:SPR)
Trading updates: Safestore Holdings (LSE:SAFE)
AGMs: Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund PLC, Virgin Money UK PLC (LSE:VMUK)
Economic announcements: PMI Composites (UK), PMI Manufacturing (UK), PMI Composite (US), PMI Manufacturing (US), PMI Services (US), Existing Home Sales (US)
US earnings: Medtronic, Coinbase Global, The Home Depot, Palo Alto Networks, Walmart