Business and City Summary

UK ABSENTEEISM 'COSTING 13bn' POUNDS

Absenteeism through sickness is costing employers pounds 13bn a year, according to a survey from the Confederation of Industry. It said 166 million working days were lost through sickness in 1992, an average eight days a worker.

The worst record is in the public sector where, on average, a worker can expect six more days of authorised absence, excluding sickness, than in the private sector.

OPTIMISM GROWS

The second quarter of 1993 has seen overall signs of some easing of employer pessimism compared with the same period last year, says a Manpower survey of employment prospects.

KUWAIT TAX CALL

Kuwait called on Gulf Arab states to retaliate with import taxes on goods from the US and the European Community if they opt to introduce a 'carbon tax' on energy.

CHINA SETS LIMIT

China is to limit the number of domestic firms allowed to issue shares on the international market to protect its fledgling stock exchanges.

TODAY: 15.3.93

UK data for manufacturing output and industrial production.

Interims: European Leisure.

Finals: Abbott Mead Alliance Trust, Claremont Garments, Delta, English China Clays, HSBC Holdings, IMI, JIB Group, Laporte, JN Nichols (Vimto), Peek, Ransomes, Record Holdings, Rugby Group, Takare, Wassall, Watmoughs.

TOMORROW: 16.3.93

The Budget, UK February PSBR.

Interims: Paterson Zochonis, Scholes Group.

Finals: Dartmoor Investment Trust, Graseby, Hampden Group, Johnson Group Cleaners, Law Debenture Corp, Lionheart, Marley, River & Mercantile American Cap, Simons Engineering, Thornton Asian Emerging Markets, George Wimpey.

WEDNESDAY: 17.3.93

UK retail sales data.

Interims: Dunton Group, Golden Hope Plantations, Minorco, Zambia Copper Inv.

Finals: Avonside Group, Bowthorpe, Chieftain Group, Expamet International, James Fisher & Sons, Plantsbrook Group, Portals Group, Premier Consolidated, Spandex, Thomson Corp, Try Group.

THURSDAY: 18.3.93

Data for UK average earnings in January.

Interims: Bankers Investment Trust (div), Ernest Green & Partners.

Finals: Arjo Wiggins Appleton, Cattle's Holdings, Charles Baynes, Coats Viyella, Commercial Bank of London, Crestacare, Davis Service Group, Edmond Holdings, Evans Halshaw Holdings, Guinness, Kwik-Fit Holdings, Legal & General, Mandarin Oriental International, Martin Currie Pacific Trust (div), Rentokil Group, Reed International, Rotork, Rutland Trust, Seafield Resources, Telemetrix, Thames Television, Trade Indemnity, United Biscuits, Vinten Group.

FRIDAY: 19.3.93

UK RPI figures.

Interims: Fortnum & Mason.

Finals: Anglia Television, British-Borneo Petroleum, Britannic Assurance, Molins.