The week ahead in business and finance

MONDAY NOVEMBER 30

It has been a challenging 12 months for Aberdeen Asset Management, who report its full-year results today, after a rout in emerging markets prompted investors to withdraw funds from its Asia-focused strategies.

In what has been a painful quarter of outflows, as well as one with negative market movements, it is expected the FTSE 100 group will post net outflows of £10.3bn for the final quarter. However, despite the dreary year, it is anticipated that profits will be broadly unchanged compared to last year.

Pre-tax profit is expected to fall by 4pc to £498m and by 15pc in 2016. Just last month, the shares rallied amid takeover speculation, something it quickly denied. Analysts at Barclays highlighted boss Martin Gilbert has been involved with the group since its co-founding in 1983, as such he has seen the group “recover from far more challenging circumstances than this.”

Nonetheless, shareholders will also be keen to find out whether the recent rout will temper with the dividend.

Interim Results: Great Eastern Energy Corporation, Palace Capital, Cranswick, KCOM Group , Omega Diagnostics, Acal

Final Results: Aberdeen Asset Management, Intelligent Energy Holdings, Quoram

AGMs: Manchester & London Investment Trust, Nyota Minerals, Ferrum Crescent, Petra Diamonds, Scotgold Resources, Victoria Oil & Gas

Trading updates: IG Group Holdings

Economics: Chicago PMI (US), Pending Homes Sales (US), Consumer Credit (UK), M4 Money Supply (UK), M4 Sterling Lending (UK), Mortgage Approvals (UK)

TUESDAY DECEMBER 1

Shares in Merlin Entertainment may have had a rough ride in recent times, after an investigation revealed a roller coaster crash at one of its Alton Towers theme park’s earlier this year was caused by human error.

The leisure group publishes its trading update tomorrow, based on its performance since September, a reduction in visitors to its UK Resort Theme parks are expected to weigh on growth. However, visitor numbers may have jumped during the Halloween and half-term period when the weather was relatively dry.

Meanwhile, Merlin’s Legoland Parks is set to report strong growth. Anna Barnfather, of Panmure Gordon, expects to find out further details on the new China Media Capital joint venture and its investments in India. Investors will be keen to find out whether the outlook for Merlin is positive in the year ahead, as it plans new openings from 2017 onwards.

Interim Results: OPG Power Ventures, GB Group, Park Group, Collagen Solutions, TCS Group Holding, Northgate

Final Results: Topps Tiles, Character Group, Gooch & Housego, ITE Group, Sanderson Group

AGMs: Atlas Development Support Services, Wolseley

Trading update: Merlin Entertainments

Economics: PMI Manufacturing (GER), Unemployment Rate (GER), PMI Manufacturing (EU), Unemployment Rate (EU) , Auto Sales (US), ISM Manufacturing (US), ISM Prices Paid (US), PMI Manufacturing (UK)

Merlin Entertainments owns a number of UK theme park, including Legoland

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2

Weak market conditions in recent months means wealth manager Brewin Dolphin will post only modest gains when it publishes its full-year results on Wednesday. Earlier this year, RBC Capital Markets warned “volatility in financial markets” could impede the group from achieving its forecast pre-tax profits of £62.6m.

In the first half of the year, Brewin enjoyed a 9pc increase in pre-tax profits to £37.9m. At a recent capital markets day, it said its focus was on improving its rate of organic growth. However, Stuart Duncan, of Peel Hunt, cautioned investors: “This would require investment that which could delay the delivery of 25pc operating margins.”

Meanwhile, income for the year is expected to grow marginally from £280.8m in 2014 to £285.4m this year. On Friday the group announced the sale of its Stocktrade business to Alliance Trust Savings would not be completed until next year.

Interim Results: Iomart Group, Greene King, International Greetings, Tricorn Group

Final Results: Brewin Dolphin, Urban&Civic, Sage Group, Zoopla Property Group

AGMs: PureCircle, Gemfields, Bioventix, Matchtech Group, Telit Communications

Economics: Producer Price Index (EU), International Reserves (EU), MBA Mortgage Applications (US), Beige Book Fed Survey (US), PMI Construction (UK)

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3

Adverse foreign exchange rate movements is expected to weigh on DS Smith when it posts its half year results on Thursday. Revenue is expected to grow by 1pc to £2bn, while operating profit is on track to jump 4pc to £183m buoyed by organic growth and contributions from recent acquisitions.

Just this year, it continued to consolidate the fragmented European packaging market, by acquiring Duropack and Lantero. Last month, the group said it was on track to meet its financial targets, as it boasted the outlook for the group “remains positive”.

However, Justin Jordan, of Jefferies, warned operating margins may be impacted in the short term as European waste paper prices have increased by 19pc so far this year.

Interim Results: Smith (DS), Mercia Technologies, Imimobile

Final Results: Impax Asset Management, Elegant Hotels Group, GW Pharmaceuticals, Sage Group

AGMs: PowerHouse Energy, Haydale Graphene Industries, Axa Property, Asos

Trading update: Amino Technologies

Economics: PMI Composite (GER), PMI Services (GER), PMI Composite (EU), PMI Services (EU), Retail Sales (EU), ECB Interest Rate (EU), ISM Non-Manufacturing (US), ISM Services (US), Official Reserves (UK), PMI Composite (UK), PMI Services (UK)

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4

Berkeley Group’s half-year results are expected to be robust, despite a challenging six months following the changes to stamp duty. Building costs have eased in recent months, and as a result, the financial year is now expected to be “stable”, according to Clyde Lewis, of Peel Hunt.

So far this year, shares have risen by 24pc - in line with the sector - but Mr Lewis believes “once the market fully understands the returns potential, the shares will outperform its peers.”

Just two months ago, the board reiterated its earnings forecast of £2bn across the next three years. At present, the lack of supply of “good quality new homes” in London and the South of England, low interest rates and a growing economy underpin this market, the group said.

Interim Result: Berkeley Group

AGMs: Green Reit, Kalibrate Technologies, Associated British Foods, DFS Furniture

Trading update: easyJet

Economics: PMI Construction (GER), PMI Retail (EU), PMI Retail (GER), Factory Orders (GER), Balance of Trade (US), New Car Registrations (UK)