The Week Ahead: Recruiters Robert Walters and Hays to update the market

Cash-strapped Gulf Keystone Petroleum has its annual results on Thursday

We will get to see a snapshot of the job market this week as two recruiters update the market.

The first is Robert Walters, which has a trading update tomorrow. The start of the year is traditionally the quietest period for the company, but Numis’ Steve Woolf is forecasting a 15 per cent rise in fees, just a slight slowdown from the previous quarter’s figure of 17 per cent. The UK is expected to remain the main driver of growth.

Hays has a similar update a day later, with Mr Woolf predicting a minor slowdown in global revenue growth but continued momentum in the UK. The analyst says Europe “remains a wildcard” and will be closely watched.

The four-day week might as well be three days when it comes to the corporate calendar, with no significant updates due today. In economic news, the latest PMI figure for the service sector and a composite PMI reading are due.

Tomorrow sees finals from Amerisur Resources, a trading statement from Atkins and traffic statistics from easyJet and British Airways’ owner, IAG. The British Retail Consortium’s barometer of shop prices will be released, covering March, and new car registration figures are also due.

Cash-strapped Gulf Keystone Petroleum has its annual results on Thursday. The oil and gas explorer recently bought some time with a placing that raised $41m to pay down debts, but investors will be keen to hear more sustainable plans to keep the business ticking over.

Netplay TV also has full-year figures on Thursday and fake tan to shampoo maker PZ Cussons will update investors. Panmure Gordon expects trading to be in line with expectations.

Victrex and sausage maker Cranswick have management statements and Matchtech has half-year results. Egyptian gold miner Centamin has a production report.

No change is expected from the Bank of England on interest rates.

Friday sees a management statement from XP Power and a production report from Vedanta Resources. Industrial and manufacturing figures will be released.