Wednesday preview: Thomas Cook and United Utilities

It looks like the holiday is already over for the new head of Thomas Cook, Harriet Green, who joined the firm from electronics outfit Premier Farnell in July.

It looks like the holiday is already over for the new head of Thomas Cook, Harriet Green, who joined the firm from electronics outfit Premier Farnell in July.

Peel Hunt analyst Nicholas Batram predicts underlying pre-tax profits of £154m for the year to September 30th - that's around half of last year's £304m.

On top of this the City expects exceptional items to push the firm into the red.

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"Of much greater interest will be what [Green] has to say in terms of the turnaround strategy," Batram said in a note.

"The company has said that the results of a detailed strategic review will not be revealed until the spring but we do expect some colour."

As the rain continues to fall, United Utilities presents its half yearly figures.

Revenue is expected to be around five per cent higher at £835m as a result of allowed regulatory price rises offset by customer switching and lower commercial volumes.

Pre-tax profits, like Severn Trent before it, are seen coming in broadly flat at £188m (up two per cent). The dividend is expected to grow seven per cent to 11.4p, according to analysts at Charles Stanley.

INTERIMS

Advanced Computer Software Group, Assura Group Ltd., Creston, Daisy Group, Telford Homes, United Utilities Group, VP

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Konami Corp., Restore

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Amec, Anglo Pacific Group, Castings, Clean Energy Brazil, E2V Technologies, Hansa Trust, Hansa Trust 'A' Non Voting Shares, Helical Bar, Intermediate Capital Group, JD Sports Fashion, Johnson Matthey, Mckay Securities, MS International, National Grid, Sepura, Tate & Lyle, Telecom Plus, Young & Co's Brewery 'A' Shares, Young & Co's Brewery (Non-Voting)

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Anglogold Ashanti Ltd., Canaccord Financial Inc., Energy XXI (Bermuda) (Di), Molex Inc., Molex Inc. 'A' Shares, Premier Energy & Water Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Payments (GER) (07:00)

Beige Book Fed Survey (US) (19:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)

Q3

OJSC Cherkizovo Group GDR (Reg S)

FINALS

GW Pharmaceuticals, Hangar 8

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Lancashire Holdings

EGMS

East Balkan Properties

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Jupiter Primadona Growth Trust, Kea Petroleum, Neos Resources, Plexus Holdings, Seeing Machines Ltd., Wildhorse Energy Ltd. (DI)

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AIREA, Allocate Software, Impax Asian Environmental Markets, JPMorgan Global Markets Emerging Income Trust, Kier Group

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A&J Mucklow Group, Daily Mail and General Trust 'Ord' Shares, Daily Mail and General Trust A (Non.V), Diploma, Dunelm Group, Games Workshop Group, GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd, JPMorgan Japanese Inv Trust, Northern Venture Trust, Smart (J) & Co., St Ives, Standard Life Equity Income Trust, Utilitywise