We'll be hearing from Wolseley plc (LON: WOS), Compass Group plc (LON: CPG) and TUI Travel PLC (LON: TT).
We have already had a quick look at three FTSE 100 companies that will be in the news next week. But there are more, as we approach the end of the March quarter and companies start to bring us first-quarter updates.
Here are three more FTSE 100 companies we'll be hearing from next week:
Wolseley
Plumbing and heating products supplier Wolseley (LSE: WOS) (NASDAQOTH: WOSCY.US) is scheduled to deliver half-year results on Tuesday, with forecasts looking good. For the year ending July 2013, the analysts' consensus suggests a rise in earnings per share (EPS) of 9%, but that does put the shares on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18 based on the latest price of 3,250p -- falling to 15 if the predicted 19% EPS rise for 2014 comes off.
First-quarter results, released on 4 December, showed a 2.1% rise in like-for-like revenue, resulting in a 7.6% rise in trading profit. Wolseley also reduced its net debt from £523 million to just £87 million. At the time, chief executive Ian Meakins said: "Cash generation is a key focus and the strength of our balance sheet provides opportunities to invest selectively where we can generate good returns."
Compass Group
Compass Group (LSE: CPG), the catering services provider, will be bring us a pre-close update on Tuesday, ahead of first-half results due on 15 May. The past few years have been good, with steadily rising earnings and dividends, and there is more forecast for this full year -- a further 8% rise in both earnings and dividend.
In February's update, ahead of its AGM, the firm told us that first-quarter organic revenue was up 6%, with its American Ascension Health contract "contributing over 1% to global sales in the period", and that "expectations for the full year remain positive and unchanged".
The shares, valued at 832p today, are on a forward P/E of 18 -- whether that is too rich is for you to decide.
TUI Travel
We'll also have a pre-close update from TUI Travel (LSE: TT) on Wednesday, again in advance of half-year results scheduled for 15 May. The owner of a number of holiday brands, including Thomson and First Choice, released an upbeat first-quarter update in February, with chief executive Peter Long saying: "We are pleased to report that our strong trading momentum has continued with particularly encouraging growth in the UK and Nordics."
After losses during the slump, TUI has recovered well, paying a 5% dividend last year. For the year ending September 2013, the City is forecasting a 7% rise in earnings per share, and an 8% rise in the dividend. The shares, at 311p, are on a forward P/E of 11, falling to 10.5 on 2014 forecasts.
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> Alan does not own any shares mentioned in this article.
