Business Information Service: This week

Monday

Emap, the publishing house, is expected to show a 15 per cent increase in interim profits, to pounds 17m, reflecting ongoing improvements in efficiency.

Tuesday

OPEC will begin its third-quarter meeting in Vienna. Allied-Lyons should show slightly better spirits, with half-year profits up some 18 per cent, to pounds 314m. Northern Foods is expected to deliver a modest improvement, despite difficulties in its meat and convenience foods divisions. CD pricing inquiries and silence on potential disposals notwithstanding, Thorn EMI is expected to disclose a 9 per cent increase in interim profits, to pounds 346m. Meanwhile Vodafone's rapid expansion overseas will slow profit growth, although it continues to roar ahead in its home market.

Wednesday

Publication of September's construction orders heralds a quiet week of economic news in the run- up to the Budget on 30 November. Kwik Save is expected to deliver a 17 per cent surge in profits, to pounds 129m. PowerGen should produce a 10 per cent rise in pre-tax profits, but remains overshadowed by the possibility that the regulator will refer both generators to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

Thursday

The US will close its markets for Thanksgiving Day. October's new vehicle registrations will be published. Hazlewood Foods is predicted to deliver a modest rise in interim profits, with ready meals offsetting a downturn in its frozen fish operations. Shanks & McEwan is likely to turn in a 26 per cent drop in profits for the half-year, with fears of something even nastier in the waste pile.

The CBI will produce its monthly trends survey.