Close Brothers Group PLC (LSE:CBG) will release its scheduled pre-close trading update on Friday, covering the financial half-year ending 31 January 2022.
The company said in November it had made an encouraging start to the new financial year, with a strong performance in Banking and good growth momentum in Close Brothers Asset Management.
The fly in the ointment was its Winterflood Securities, its market-making arm, where trading income continued to moderate since the end of the 2021 financial year.
On the macro side, we have UK retail sales. Although the majority of retailers reporting have been bullish, economists at ING expect a fall in UK retail sales after a bumper November, following what appears to have been a stronger-than-usual Black Friday trading period.
"What’s less clear is if the arrival of Omicron, and reduced spending at social venues, translated into a boost for goods purchases, like we saw in past Covid waves.
"We suspect that effect will be much less pronounced, and short-lived, with early hints that consumers are less cautious about visiting hospitality venues than they were just before Christmas."
Significant announcesments expected
Trading announcements: Big Yellow Group PLC (LSE:BYG), Close Brother Group PLC
AGMs: Character Group PLC (AIM:CCT)
Economic data: GFK Consumer Confidence (UK), Retail Sales (UK)