Thursday's earnings mirror that of the day before, with a housebuilder and betting group taking centre stage in the form of Entain and Persimmon interims.
US inflation figures will come later in the day, at around 1.30 pm GMT, and analysts hope that a fall in CPI will help make the Fed's most recent interest rate hike the last.
Can Entain spark US interest even as Disney enters the fray?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Entain PLC (LSE:ENT) interims will have a slightly different ring to them than what investors would have predicited at the start of the week, following Disney's entrance to the US gambling market on Tuesday.
Certainly taking the wind out of Flutter's sails, Disney will launch ESPN Bet in 16 states across the US, representing the first big US player to get involved in the gambling industry since antigambling laws were abolished in 2018.
However, should the betting boat have not been rocked too much, Entain could face the possibility of a new bid from partner MGM according to analysts at Citi, who suggest a second approach from the US group is “plausible.”
Persimmon results finally after July no-show
Source: Wales Online
Persimmon PLC (LSE:PSN) opted out of an anticipated trading update last month, and it's easy to understand why, with fellow rival Bellway driving home the troubles facing the industry through a revenue warning.
Persimmon anticipates completions will sit around 9,000 builds this year – marking the top end of guidance – but with rival Barratt's forecasts dropping by as much as 20%, there could be troubled waters ahead for the York-based developers.
Significant Announcements
Trading updates: Watches Of Switzerland Group plc
Interims: Allianz Technology Trust PLC (LSE:ATT), Entain PLC (LSE:ENT), Persimmon PLC (LSE:PSN)
Economic announcements: RICS Housing Market Survey (UK), Consumer Price Index (US), Core Inflation (US), Continuing Claims (US), Initial Jobless Claims (US), Budget Statement (US)
Ex-dividend to reduce FTSE 100 by: 32.27