Wednesday’s City schedule is somewhat light, albeit it is not without features.
Interim results are due from UK power firm Drax (LON:DRX) and a trading statement from Talktalk Telecom Group Plc (LON:TALK) will likely also garner investor attentions.
Perhaps, most notable though will be the latest operational update from the world’s biggest miner, BHP Billiton plc (LON:BLT) should make interesting reading, with the group recently having named packaging executive Ken MacKenzie as its next chairman, a tricky job given calls from activist investor Elliott Management for strategic changes at the firm.
MacKenzie, who was considered one of Australia's most successful chief executives in his 10 years running Amcor Ltd, will succeed current BHP chairman, Jac Nasser from September 1.
In its last operational review in April, BHP Billiton cut its full-year production guidance for copper and metallurgical coal due to industrial action in Chile and to bad weather at mines in Australia over the first quarter.
The group also revealed then that it was progressing the sale of two key fields at its onshore US petroleum interests a decoupling of the US petroleum division one of a number of radical proposals to enhance shareholder value proposed by Elliott.
Significant events expected on Wednesday July 19
Operational review: BHP Billiton plc (LON:BLT)
Trading updates: Evraz plc (LON:EVR), QinetiQ Group PLC (LON:QQ.), Severn Trent PLC (LON:SVT), Talktalk Telecom Group PLC (LON:TALK), Tristel Plc (LON:TSTL), RPC Group PLC (LON:RPC)
Interims: Drax Group PLC (LON:DRX); Q1 - Wizz Air Holdings PLC (LON:WIZZ)
Economic data: US housing starts