Day Ahead: Does Persil have the power to push Unilever?

Dove and Persil brand owner Unilever will provide its third quarter results on Thursday. The pace of sales growth in the Emerging Markets (EM) remains high on the agenda for investors, as, despite challenging markets, underlying first half sales in the region improved. Much has happened, however, since then which suggests that major markets such as China may not be growing as fast as previously expected. Additionally, Hargreaves Lansdown said: “Product innovation may again be underlined by management, whilst an update on the group’s newly formed Prestige Personal Care business could be forthcoming following previous acquisitions.” Elsewhere, Burberry reports its first half trading update on Thursday and given ongoing challenges in Asia, sales growth is expected to have slowed, Hargreaves reckons. Graham Spooner, at The Share Centre, said: “In the first quarter, there was weakness in Hong Kong and China which offset growth in other regions, and investors should acknowledge that we may see a similar pattern in the second quarter”. Investors will also want to hear of the progress on the restructuring programmes, how many stores were opened and closed and how taking control of the Brand in Japan is working out. Share Centre Finally, Man Group will give an update, and the volatility in global markets has raised concerns on whether it can handle fluctuations. “Because of the volatility, we may see fund inflows held back maybe even withdrawn during the last quarter,” Spooner said. Significant announcements expected Final: WH Smith (LON:SMWH), Pure Wafer (LON:PUR) Interim: Schlumberger (LON:SCL), Booker Group (LON:BOK), Unilever (LON:ULVR) Trading statement: SABMiller (LON:SAB), Rank Group (LON:RNK), Ashmore group (LON:ASHM), Unilever (LON:ULVR), Burberry Group (LON:BRBY), Rio Tinto (LON:RIO), Man Group (LON:EMG) Economic: US – Jobless claims, CPI, Philadelphia Fed index.