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.
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"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
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UK interest rate cut all but ruled out
