Hard road ahead for French Connection

Clothing chains French Connection, Primark and Next all report results this week ahead of the vital Christmas quarter for the high street.

Analysts predict profits at the ailing French Connection are likely to be flat for the first half of the year. Sanjay Vidyarthi, analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort, said: "We think French Connection is fixable but maintain that the scale of recovery is formidable in the current environment. We think management will be issuing another cautious statement."

Shares in the group have slumped more than 60 per cent over the past year, closing the week at 63.75p.

Meanwhile, investors will be hoping that a trading statement from AB Foods, owner of Primark, shows the discount chain enjoyed a strong summer and is benefiting from its cheaper products. In July the City was spooked after the company revealed that like-for-like sales fell in April.

Next Group, whose share price has slumped by around 50 per cent in the past year, unveils first- half numbers, the bulk of which were flagged up earlier this year.

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