Tuesday preview: HSBC and Microsoft in focus

The market spotlight on Tuesday will be on the corporate side of things with HSBC and Microsoft both due to update shareholders.

Regarding the former, Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK told clients: "With the Chinese government implementing rolling lockdowns as it continues its zero Covid policy, profits in Asia could well take a hit, while the wider cost of living crisis could well impact its UK business which has performed very well in recent quarters.

"Management guidance around Q2, as well as the rest of the year is likely to be a key factor here when determining the next move in the share price."

For Microsoft meanwhile, investors' will be keen to see whether the software giant continues to fire on all cylinders against the backdrop of rising interest rates which is calling share price valuations into question.

Expectations for Microsoft fiscal third quarter revenues are for between $48.5-49.3bn, for earnings per share of $1.42.

On the economic side of things meanwhile, at 0700 GMT the Office for National Statistics is due to publish public sector net borrowing figures for March.

Across the Channel meanwhile, European Central Bank boss, Christine Lagarde, is due to speak at two different venues, at 1130 GMT and 1600 GMT, respectively.

Also due out are readings on German and French consumer confidence in May and April, respectively.

Investors' attention in the US will be on readings for durable goods orders and new home sales in March.

In the foreign affairs arena, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, is due to travel to Moscow to try and restart peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Tuesday 26 April

INTERIMS

Associated British Foods, Egdon Resources, Focusrite

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Nippon Active Value Fund

HSBC

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Confidence (US) (15:00)

Durable Goods Orders (US) (13:30)

House Price Index (US) (14:00)

New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)

FINALS

Billington Holdings, Corero Network Security, Futura Medical, Instem, Learning Technologies Group , Light Science Technologies Holdings, Northcoders Group , PureTech Health , United Oil & Gas, Warpaint London

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Anglo American

AGMS

Aquis Exchange , Elementis, Franchise Brands, Globaldata, Globaltrans Investment GDR (Reg S), Maven Income and Growth VCT 5, Oriole Resources , Oriole Resources , RPS Group, Taylor Wimpey, The City Pub Group , Tissue Regenix Group, Tissue Regenix Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Flutter Entertainment (CDI), IWG , Jupiter Fund Management , Loungers , National Express Group, Taylor Wimpey

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Anglo American, Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT