City File: Dixons test

DIXONS GROUP, the electrical retailer, is expected to report pre-tax profits of around pounds 19m on Wednesday for the 28 weeks to 14 November, up from pounds 17.5m last time.

The real test for the management is the troubled Silo chain in the US. It made an operating loss of pounds 11m last time. Any reduction in that deficit would be very good news and would boost the shares, still a good buy at 274p.