Business Information Service: This Week

Monday

A flood of economic data will coincide with the quickening flow of corporate results in the run-up to the March reporting season. January's input and output producer prices are expected to rise, as new year price increases coincide with higher commodity prices.

Tuesday

December's UK industrial production is predicted to show little change on November, although it will confirm the growth year-on-year. British Airways will report third-quarter profits of about pounds 58m, as improved traffic volumes and a reduced interest bill brighten its outlook. Meanwhile, Hanson's interims are set to plummet, as the impact of the coal strike at Peabody erodes profits.

Wednesday

Retail price inflation is forecast to rise to 2.9 per cent in January, after a decline in the size of mortgage rate reductions and sales-related price cuts. Retail sales will also be less buoyant than in previous months. January's PSBR is likely to amount to pounds 2.5bn, as tobacco taxes and debt repayment help to offset the usual seasonal rise.

Thursday

Foreign currency gains and a strong sales performance from its portfolio of new products are expected to push interim profits at Glaxo to pounds 945m, up 15 per cent, while a bull year in securities, equities and corporate finance activities will help Kleinwort Benson double its profits to about pounds 92m. However, deep discounts in its DIY prices will continue to constrain Wickes.

Friday

Annual growth in the broad money supply is expected to be modest, after a relatively strong out- turn in December on lending growth of pounds 3.6bn.

Sources: NatWest Securities, MMS International