Wednesday preview: Sainsbury unveils third-quarter results

Sainsbury is in the spotlight as Britain's third largest supermarket chain posts its third-quarter trading results on Wednesday.

The statement comes one day after the company showed the highest sales growth of the so-called 'Big Four' grocers in the lead up to Christmas, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel.

The market researcher said Sainsbury's sales grew 3.4% in the 12 weeks to December 23rd. Shares were up 1.90% to 338.00p at 15:15 Tuesday.

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The results trumped the likes of others in the 'Big Four' list including Tesco, Asda and Morrison.

Tesco saw sales growth of 2.9 %, Asda reported a 2.2% rise, while Morrison's fell 0.6%.

The UK grocery market expanded overall by 3.2%, with the strongest performances recorded at the discount and premium ends of the market.

However, Sainsbury is facing difficult structural issues, partly as a result of its transition from larger stores towards the convenience store format and digital.

Analysts at Investec said earlier they "remain negative on Sainsbury and believe that structural issues will weigh heavily on the company in 2013".

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Restaurant Group, Sainsbury (J), Ted Baker

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

3i Group, 3i Infrastructure, De La Rue, Games Workshop Group, Phoenix IT Group

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

FirstGroup, Pinewood Shepperton, Volex, Workspace Group

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Assura Group Ltd., British Land Co

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Industrial production (Germany) (11:00)

GMS

Beacon Hill Resources, EG Solutions

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

European Investment Trust, Octopus Titan VCT 1, Octopus Titan VCT 2, Octopus Titan VCT 3

AGMS

Baring Emerging Europe

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Renewable Energy Generation Ltd., Ultimate Finance Group

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Edinburgh Worldwide Inv Trust, European Investment Trust, Majedie Investments, Next Fifteen Communications, Paragon Group Of Companies, Smiths News, Spirit Pub Company, Unicorn AIM VCT

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRC Shop Price Index (00:01)

Trade in Good and Services (09:30)

RD