Money Minute Tuesday 4 February: BP investors heading for disappointment?

Good morning and welcome to Money Minute, where we preview the day's biggest financial stories.

In the UK today, we get full-year earnings from oil major BP, software group Micro Focus International, and property group St Modwen. We also get a trading update from electronics distributor Electrocomponents, whose chief executive had to take a medical leave of absence in November.

What with a weak oil price and concerns over the value of shale assets, BP investors will be primed for disappointment. They’ll also be looking for news on the company’s renewables investments, given the sense that the days of fossil fuels are numbered.

Try 6 free issues of MoneyWeek today

Get unparalleled financial insight, analysis and expert opinion you can profit from.

Start your trial

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

In the US, President Donald Trump gives the annual State of the Union address. Trump is likely to make the case for his re-election in November this year. He is not expected to raise the matter of his potential impeachment.

Over in China later, we'll get the most recent survey of services sector activity for January. However, this data won’t cover the point at which measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak were escalated, so the survey needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.