If you are reading this early on Wednesday morning then BHP Billiton's fourth quarter production update is already out.
The struggling mining giant is scheduled to release its numbers at 9.30pm on Tuesday.
Deutsche Bank is expecting the market to focus on revisions to production guidance, especially on the petroleum side, where the company is currently pointing towards 237mln barrels of oil equivalent.
With even the reduced dividend under pressure, BHP may also announce cuts in its planned capital expenditure.
“We expect a soft quarter with iron volumes down 3% sequentially, driven by suspension of operations at Samarco. We forecast West Australian iron ore shipments of around 64Mt (100% basis) for the December quarter, down on the 67Mt shipped in SQ [same quarter] 15. We note there was a train derailment in the quarter in the Pilbara which is likely to have impacted on shipments,” Deutsche said.
It expects copper production to be flat sequentially, but petroleum production is tipped to fall 10% quarter-on-quarter.
“Coal volumes are forecast to be broadly flat versus the September quarter. We expect metallurgical coal production to be up sequentially, while energy coal is expected to be 3% higher sequentially,” the German bank predicted.
Most of the retailers have released Christmas trading updates, and now it is the turn of pubs group JD Wetherspoon to spill the beans on what is its fiscal second quarter (Q2).
“In Q2, the company should benefit from easier comps, of 2.7% LFL [like-for-like] sales and 6.9% margins, and passing the October 2014 anniversary of a previous 5% wage increase,” notes Douglas Jack at Numis Securities.
“Management guidance for 2016E is for 1-2% LFL sales growth (partially volume, hence not much growth in pricing is therefore expected) and increasing repairs and wages costs. The problem is that the company: has 'limited room to manoeuvre' through pricing activity; is already organised on labour scheduling; and does not want to cut staff hours,” Jack opines.
Significant announcements expected
Final: Redx Pharma (LON:REDX)
Trading statement: Diploma (LON:DPLM), Genel Energy (LON:GENL), Pets at Home (LON:PETS), WH Smith (LON:SMWH), JD Wetherspoon (LON:JDW).
Economic: UK – Unemployment, Average Earnings. US – Building Permits, Housing Starts, Consumer Prices Index