Thursday preview: Tesco in focus as grocer reports H1 numbers

At its last update in June, like-for-like sales were up 3.4% in the first quarter at £15.3bn, as it continued to gain market share. At the time, the company said strong volume growth across the UK, Republic of Ireland and Central Europe was being supported by easing inflation.

In a research note last week, Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "The Finest range is helping Tesco poach customers off more premium supermarkets. At the other end of the spectrum, the group has invested in keeping prices low in its value range to help fend off competition from the likes of Aldi and Lidl."

However, these investments into pricing are expected to have kept a lid on revenue growth over the six months to 31 August, with revenues forecast to rise 1.7% to around £34.7bn.

The outlook statement will also be in focus ahead of the key festive trading period, with all eyes on the full-year adjusted operating profit guidance, which at the time of Tesco's first-quarter update was "at least £2.8bn".

Also on tap will be service-sector purchasing managers' indices (PMIs) from across the UK, eurozone and US. However, given these are final estimates for September, following earlier estimates a week ago, there are unlikely to be any major revisions.

A close eye will also be kept on US jobless claims, due out at 1330 BST, as investors continue to assess incoming labour-market data for clues on how the Federal Reserve will act at its next policy meeting.

Thursday October 03

INTERIM RESULTS

Tesco

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

BHP Group

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

CT Private Equity Trust, REI, CT UK High, CT UK High B

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Centrica, Bodycote, Weir Group, Spectris, Smith & Nephew, RIT Capital Partners, Travis Perkins, TP ICAP, Morgan Sindall Group, Murray International, TBC Bank Group, Hunting, Johnson Service, Wickes Group, Br.small Co.2, Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust, Phoenix Group Holdings, ADF Facilities, Franchise Brands, Learning Technologies Group, Skillcast, Shires Inc., Finsbury Growth, Hss Hire, Barr (A.G.), Personal Group, Mortgage Advice Bureau, F&C Investment Trust, Albion Kay Vct, Schroder Income Growth Fund, Andrew Sykes, Sts Global Inc, Manchester&London, Pantheon Infr, European Assets Trust, Life Science, Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Albion Enterprise Vct, Albion Kay Vct, Albion Dev Vct

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT

PMI Composite (0930), PMI Services (0930)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT

PMI Composite (GER) (0855), PMI Services (GER) (0855) PMI Composite (EU) (0900), PMI Services (EU) (0900), Continuing Claims (US) (1330), Initial Jobless Claims (US) (1300), Factory Orders (US) (1500), ISM Services (US) (1500), ISM Prices Paid (US) (1500)

AGMS

Unicorn Mineral, Gstechnologies

ANNUAL REPORT

Galliford Try