The last we heard from Dunelm Group PLC (LSE:DNLM) before its planned update on Thursday, the retailer reported a 6% sales decline in the final quarter of its financial year.
With headwinds including the summer heatwave the first quarter of its new year is set to have been a tough one.
However, some analysts see silver linings from September's trading that could inform this week's statement (see the full Dunelm preview).
Builders merchant Travis Perkins (LSE:TPK) last updated the market in early August, when sales were up 7.9% on a like-for-like basis but operating profit was flat across all divisions, not helped by price inflation at an eye-catching 14%.
The focus of this Thursday’s trading update will unavoidably be on how demand has reacted to wobbles in the housing market and property sector.
Strong demand in the merchanting segment was reported in the first half, but with housebuilders reeling from the wider shocks in the housing market, could demand have softened, as it had in Toolstation DIY segment in the first half?
There will also be an update from National Express Group PLC (LSE:NEX) which saw its shares jump back in July when it reported strong first-half results.
The transport operator maintained its guidance for the current year after reporting its highest revenue growth in over a decade for the first six months on the back of a strong rebound in passenger demand.
Several financial services statements are scheduled too, from AJ Bell, Schroders and St James’s Place PLC.
A recent note from Deutsche Bank warned clients that while top-down market-related headwinds have mostly been reflected in share prices, “we believe that there are bottom-up concerns which may still come through in the shares over the next six months”.
For St James’s, analysts said they think “there could be a downgrade of guidance with its Q3 results”.
In macro and political events, an EU leaders summit is taking place, US jobs numbers and housing data.
Significant announcements expected on Thursday
Trading updates: AJ Bell PLC (LSE:AJB), Bunzl PLC (LSE:BNZL), Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC (LSE:DPH), Dunelm Group PLC (LSE:DNLM), National Express PLC, RELX PLC (LSE:REL), Rentokil Initial PLC (LSE:RTO), Schroders PLC (LSE:SDR), SEGRO PLC (LSE:SGRO), St James's Place PLC, Travis Perkins (LSE:TPK) PLC
AGMs: Abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust PLC, Argo Group Limited, Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC (LSE:DPH), Gateley Holdings PLC (AIM:GTLY)
Ex-divs to reduce FTSE 100 by: 1.64 points (BAE Systems, Smiths Group (LSE:SMIN))
Economic announcements: Continuing Claims (US), Initial Jobless Claims (US), Philadelphia Fed Index (US), Existing Homes Sales (US)
US earnings: American Airlines, AT&T, Blackstone, CSX, Freeport McMoRan, Philip Morris International, Snap Inc