A Conservative victory in the UK general election gave Babcock shares a boost, and investors will be hoping that the outsourcer can rubber stamp the optimism for the future.
Monday’s update on its international operations, the performance of its recently acquired helicopter business along with the bid pipeline and outlook for the coming year will be worth noting.
Next up, commercial property group Land Securities sends out an update.
Shares have been trading sideways since its last update in January.
With political uncertainty removed, it will be interested to hear the group’s thoughts on its prospects now that the election is out of the way.
“Rental values and retail sales have been rising in recent times and with a healthy underlying economic situation and disposable incomes on the increase, investors will be expecting further good news,” said broker The Share Centre.
Vodafone is the big release of the week, with full-year figures expected on Tuesday.
Alastair McCaig, analyst at spread betting company IG Group said the markets are anticipating sales for the telecommunications to remain relatively robust at £42.1bn, which is only slightly lower than last year’s £43.6bn.
The biggest change, according to McCaig will be felt in the company’s full-year pre-tax profits. Having last year posted a loss of £5.2bn, Vodafone is expected to be able to announce a pre-tax profit for the year of £1.9bn.
Investors will be looking out for commentary on possible acquisitions as the telecoms industry consolidates and offers “quadplay” services.
Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer sends out full-year numbers on Wednesday.
The market will be interested to see if the improvement in clothing and homeware sales reported by the retailer in its fourth quarter trading update has continued.
According to IG Group, the market is anticipating revenue of £10.3bn and adjusted net income of £538mln. These forecasts represent no change in revenue and a 3.3% drop in adjusted net income.
Also on Wednesday, Burberry updates the market with annual results.
Chief executive Christopher Bailey has had a bit more time to bed in and the investors so far seem to be happy as the share price has risen during this period.
“Despite the weak global economic backdrop, trading updates over the last year have been optimistic,” said The Share Centre.
“Markets expect the sales to increase by 8% over the financial year but restructuring of parts of the business and investment into new retail space to dampen profitability.”
There is also likely to be a significant currency impact on sales as sterling appreciates. Investors will look out for the sales indicators in key regions such as China.
Monday
Interims
Future (LON:FUTR)
Finals
Mitie Group (LON:MTO), Babcock International (LON:BAB), Cranswick (LON:CWK)
Economic data: UK Righmove House Prices, Swiss Retail Sales,
Tuesday
Interims
Nord Gold (LON:NORD), Innovation Group (LON:TIG), Topps Tiles (LON:TPT), Victrex (LON:VCT), Impax Asset Management (LONIPX), Paradigm Metals (LON:PDM)
Finals
Vodafone (LON:VOD), Homeserve (LON:HSV), ICAP (LON:IAP), Entertainment One (LON:ETO), Premier Foods (LON:PFD), Bloomsbury Publishing (LON:BMY), Land Securities (LON:LAND), Big Yellow Group (LON:BYG), AVEVA Group (LON:AVV)
Economic data: UK CPI, US housing stats, Japan GDP
Wednesday
Interims
Britvic (LON:BVIC), Zoopla Property Group (LON:ZPLA), Thomas Cook (LON:TCG)
Finals
Marks & Spencer (LON:MKS), Pennon Group (LON:PNN), Cable & Wireless Communications (LON:CWC), Quantum Pharma (LON:QP), Great Portland Estates (LON:GPOR), Intermediate Capital (LON:ICP)
Economic data: Norwegian GDP, Euro Area construction output, US Fed minutes
Thursday
Interims
Shaftesbury (LON:SHB), SSP Group (LON:SSPG), Daily Mail & General Trust (LON:DMGT)
Finals
Young & Co’s Brewery (LON:YNGN), Royal Mail (LON:RMG), United Utilities (LON:UU.), Investec (LON:INVP), Dairy Crest (LON:DCG), Lombard Risk (LON:LRM), National Grid (LON:NG.)
Economic data: ECB account of monetary policy meeting, France, Spain, UK & US to sell bonds, UK retail sales
Friday
Finals
Sirius Real Estate (LON:SRE), Severn Trent (LON:SVT)
Trading statement
Close Brothers Group (LON:CBG)
Economic data: German GDP, US Markit Flash PMI, Italian retail sales, French business confidence