Wednesday preview: Atkins and Halfords Group results

Engineering giant Atkins (WS) is expected to confirm it has been trading in line with expectations in an update Wednesday ahead of its annual results.

The FTSE 250 company last month said it was on track to meet targets despite difficult market conditions and analysts predict the trend to continue in its next trading update.

"Its most recent update confirmed trading in line in tough markets and we expect a similar stance with the forthcoming full year update," Panmure Research said.

"Atkins remains a quality operation that we are long term positive on but for now the share price looks up with events. We have a neutral stance."

The broker recommended a 'hold' rating on the stocks.

Atkins also recently announced it was selling its UK Highways Services business to Skanska UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Skanska AB.

Prof Dr Uwe Krueger, the group's Chief Executive Officer, said the disposal of the business was part of a strategy to focus on growth sectors in engineering, design services and project management.

Its latest results will coincide with a trading update from another FTSE 250 company, Halfords Group.

The retailer of car maintenance, cycling and touring products last reported a 1.6% increase in total revenue for the 15 weeks to January 2013 following strong performance at its autocentres.

Shares in Halfords and Atkins advanced in Tuesday afternoon trading.

Wednesday April 10th

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Colefax Group, Galliford Try, Haynes Publishing Group, Quayle Munro Holdings, Stewart & Wight, Utilico Investments Ltd (DI)

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Animalcare Group, Begbies Traynor Group, Catalyst Media Group, Edge Performance VCT 'H' Shares, Foresight 4 VCT, Manchester & London Inv Trust, Northamber, Plexus Holdings, St Ives, Thorpe (F.W.)

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

XP Power Ltd. (DI)

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Assura Group Ltd., Middlefield Canadian Income PCC

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Treasury Budget Statement (US) (19:00)

FINALS

Amiad Water Systems Ltd, InternetQ, Vernalis

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Impellam Group, Utilico Investments Ltd (DI)

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

James Halstead, Savills

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Atkins (WS), Halfords Group

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

CQS Rig Finance Fund Ltd., TUI Travel

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aer Lingus Group, Amlin, BBA Aviation, Berendsen, Bodycote, Charles Taylor, Chesnara, Chrysalis VCT, Dialight, Edinburgh UK Tracker Trust, Filtrona PLC, Fisher (James) & Sons, Fyffes, GKN, Herald Inv Trust, IMI, JPMorgan American Inv Trust, JPMorgan US Smaller Companies Inv Trust, Kerry Group 'A' Shares, LSL Property Services, Merchants Trust, Rotork, RPS Group, Savills, Secure Trust Bank, Shore Capital Group Ltd., Smurfit Kappa Group, St James's Place, Tamar European Industrial Fund Ltd., Ultra Electronics Holdings

RD