Swindon-based distribution group Smiths News announces its full-year figures on Wednesday, and investors will be looking for continued earnings growth and an update on the company’s diversification strategy away from the declining news distribution business.
Recent contract renewals in news distribution provide some comfort there but, ultimately, the company’s other businesses – book supplier, Bertrams, and educational and care products distributor, The Consortium – is where Smiths' future will be found. Indeed, at the half-year stage in April, 27% of group underlying pre-tax profit had been generated from activities unrelated to newspaper and magazine wholesaling – up from 17% a year ago.
Monday 14 October
Finals: Nanoco, Tristel
Trading statements: Essentra, McBride
AGMs: Greenko, McBride
EGM: Phytopharm
Tuesday 15 October
Interim: Lombard Risk Management
Finals: Bellway, dotDigital, Utilitywise
Trading statements: Burberry, Carpetright, e2v Technologies, Hargreaves Lansdown, Michael Page International, Rio Tinto
EGM: LXB Retail Properties
Economics: Producer prices, ONS house prices, Consumer price index, Retail price index
Wednesday 16 October
Interim: e-Therapeutics
Finals: Imperial Innovations, Smiths News
Trading statement: Hochschild Mining
Economics: Unemployment, Average earnings
Thursday 17 October
Interims: Booker, Etalon
Trading statements: British Sky Broadcasting, Britvic, Bunzl, Cairn Energy, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Diageo, Ferrexpo, Fresnillo, Jupiter Fund Management, Man Group, Mothercare, Omega Diagnostics, Polymetal International, Rank, Rathbone Brothers, Renishaw, SABMiller, Speedy Hire, Travis Perkins
AGMs: Brooks Macdonald, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, IG Group, Monitise, Rank, Renishaw
Economics: Retail sales
(3.52p), Trifast (0.8p), Volex (1.985p)
Friday 18 October
Trading statements: Anglo American, Evraz, Provident Financial, Record, Spectris
AGM: John Swan & Sons
Source: Investors Chronicle
