Earnings results are a great way for investors to judge a company. They’re used to determine whether companies are on track with their initial guidance. These results can often radically move share prices in either direction, depending on the numbers reported. So, here’s an earnings preview for three FTSE firms reporting results this week.

The usual approach is to compare firms’ new numbers to those from prior years. But certain revenue figures may have been impacted by the pandemic, so it’s important to get context from pre-pandemic levels too. It can also be useful to consider whether a company can perform better than its previous year’s numbers, or if it can beat analysts’ annual forecasts. Analysts in the UK don’t always publish earnings previews for quarterly or half-year periods, but given their popularity, the shares covered below are exceptions. All of them have financial years that end in December.

Rio Tinto (H1 Earnings)

Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) is an Anglo-Australian multinational company. It’s the world’s second-largest metals and mining corporation. The FTSE 100 firm’s main export is iron ore. Rio is set to reveal its H1 numbers for its six months performance ending June on 27 July.

Its earnings preview seems to indicate a slowdown in both its top and bottom lines. This is most likely due to the perpetual lockdowns in China that have been limiting construction activity. China is the group’s biggest customer, hence the gloomy forecasts. That being said, a sudden change in health policy in China could see Rio edge closer to its FY21 figures and could spell a healthy jump in its stock.

Barclays (Q2 Trading Update)

Barclays (LSE: BARC) is one of the UK’s biggest banks. It operates in many countries across the globe, and also operates an investment banking division. The bank is expected to disclose its Q2 figures for its three-month performance ending June on 28 July.

Analysts covering Barclays are expecting the bank to improve on its total income marginally this half, on a year-on-year basis. However, its most recent earnings per share estimate has been downgraded from 7.6p in the last week. The increase to its top line is most likely due to the effects of higher interest rates. Nonetheless, a decrease in investment banking activity from the current bear market is going to cause its bottom line to suffer. But if the dual-listed stock surprises investors with better than expected figures, a rally could be a possibility.

NatWest (H1 Earnings)

NatWest (LSE: NWG) is another UK bank reporting results this week. The group operates a wide variety of banking brands, offering personal and business banking, private banking, insurance, and corporate finance. It’s scheduled to unveil its H1 earnings for its six months performance ending June on 29 July.

Just as is the case with its sector peer, analysts are expecting the same trend. Alongside that, investors in its shares and the wider stock market will be paying attention to its remediation figure and number of late-stage loans to determine whether the UK is heading for a recession. The former is essentially the amount of money allocated as a buffer to cover potential defaults from customers.

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John Choong has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Barclays. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Earnings results are a great way for investors to judge a company. They’re used to determine whether companies are on track with their initial guidance. These results can often radically move share prices in either direction, depending on the numbers reported. So, here’s an earnings preview for three FTSE firms reporting results this week.

It’s always best to compare firms’ new quarterly/half-year numbers to those from prior years. But certain revenue figures may have been impacted by the pandemic, so it’s important to get context from pre-pandemic levels too. The new figures that are due can also be useful to determine whether a company can perform better than its previous year’s numbers, or if it can beat analysts’ annual forecasts. It’s a shame that analysts in the UK don’t normally publish earnings previews for quarterly or half-year periods.

Royal Mail (Q1 trading update)

Royal Mail (LSE: RMG) is Britain’s biggest postal service and courier company. The group runs the brands Royal Mail and GLS (an international logistics company). The FTSE 250 firm is expected to provide a trading update for its most recent Q1 performance ending June 2022 on Wednesday 20 July. The company’s financial year ends in March 2023.

Analysts covering Royal Mail are predicting a slowdown in both its top and bottom lines for the current financial year. The board painted a gloomy picture for the group in its Q4 earnings call, which sent the share price crashing. Lockdown tailwinds have dissipated, and the logistics group is locked in discussions with staff over its latest pay round, with the threat of possible strike action. Pair that with a slowing British economy and high fuel costs, and it seems to me that the only way for its share price to go is down. Making matters worse, EPS for its current year has seen a steady decline from £0.54 to £0.45 over the last 90 days. Nonetheless, if revenue figures come in above 2020 levels, there could be a surprise rally.

Howden Joinery (H1 earnings)

Howden Joinery (LSE: HWDN) is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier. It provides thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. The FTSE 100 firm is expected to post its half-year earnings for its six months performance ending June on 21 July. The company’s financial year ends in December 2022.

The overall consensus is that Howden Joinery is expected to continue growing its top and bottom lines. Analysts have also revised their EPS targets for the current year upwards, by nearly £0.01 in the last 90 days. That being said, investors will be paying attention to the guidance provided on Thursday in order to determine whether the supplier can beat its previous year’s record figures.

Dunelm (Q4 trading update)

Dunelm (LSE: DNLM) is a British home furnishings retailer that operates throughout the UK. It’s one of the largest homewares retailers in the country with an ever growing market share. The FTSE 250 firm will be posting its Q4 trading update for the period ending June 2022 on Thursday 21 July. The company’s financial year ends in June 2022.

While public listed companies normally release their full year results along with their Q4 numbers, Dunelm will only report its FY earnings on 14 September. This is most likely due to its financial year only ending three weeks ago. Therefore, the trading update will be more akin to an earnings preview.

Having said that, the revenue figure will be watched closely as specific bottom line figures will only be released in September. Comments from the board will also be closely monitored as investors look to determine whether EPS estimates will be met. Nevertheless, analysts have revised their EPS targets from £0.79 to £0.80 in the last 90 days. Despite that, a slowdown in retail sales in the last quarter should be kept in mind. It may have impacted Dunelm’s top line figure, along with higher fuel and labour costs. These macroeconomic factors could see analysts’ EPS being revised lower, if management hints at lower margins in the trading update.

The post Earnings preview: Royal Mail, Howden Joinery, Dunelm appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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John Choong owns shares of Dunelm. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Howden Joinery Group. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Persimmon (H1 trading update)

Persimmon (LSE: PSN) is one of Britain’s biggest and most renowned housebuilders. It builds properties ranging from flats to large family homes located across the UK. The FTSE 100 firm is expected to provide a trading update for its most recent half-year performance ending June 2022 on Thursday 7 July.

Analysts in the UK don’t normally publish earnings previews for six-month periods, so it’s best to compare the firm’s upcoming 2022 first-half numbers to the ones from a year before. The H1 2022 figures can also be useful to determine whether it’ll outperform its FY21 numbers, or even beat analysts’ FY22 forecasts.

In this case, Persimmon is predicted to show slight growth in its numbers as housing supply continues to attempt to match high demand. If the housebuilder posts a better-than-forecasted number on Thursday with positive guidance, it could be on course to beat its financial year estimates.

Entain (H1 trading update)

Entain (LSE: ENT) is an international sports betting and gambling company. It owns brands such as Bwin, Coral, Ladbrokes, PartyPoker, and Sportingbet. Entain will provide a trading update for its most recent half-year performance ending June 2022 on Thursday 7 July.

Based on the earnings preview, Entain expects to have a much stronger second half to its financial year than its first. Nonetheless, a headline beat on its previous year’s H1 results could spell a positive outlook for the firm.

Vistry (H1 trading update)

Vistry (LSE: VTY) is another housebuilder that’s providing investors with a trading update. The Kings Hill-based firm will be updating shareholders on for its most recent half-year performance ending June 2022 on Thursday 7 July.

Just like its peer, Vistry is also expecting modest growth in its numbers. This is expected to come from rising house prices. The key metric to look out for will be its diluted earnings per share metric. A better than expected number could make analysts’ predictions of achieving a much higher EPS later this year possible.

The post Earnings preview: Persimmon, Entain, Vistry appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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John Choong has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Wise (FY22 earnings)

Wise (LSE: WISE) is a fintech company that provides a money transfer service. It allows customers to send money abroad and get paid in other currencies. Wise is expected to unveil its FY22 earnings results for the year ending March 2022 on Tuesday 28 June.

Although there’s no previous record to compare with in terms of earnings per share (EPS), the earnings preview indicates that revenue is expected to grow by 32%. This is seen as generally positive as Wise continues to take market share from the likes of PayPal and Western Union. Having declined over 60% since its initial public offering, a better-than-expected number on its top and bottom lines could see the Wise share price recover from its bottom.

Moonpig (FY 22 earnings)

Moonpig (LSE: MOON) is an internet-based business. The company makes its money mainly from selling personalised greeting cards, flowers, and gifts. The FTSE 250 firm is expected to release its FY22 earnings results for the year ending April 2022 on Wednesday 29 June.

Moonpig is expecting to show a slight decline in revenue for the most recent year. This is due to the slowdown in sales after the pandemic. Nonetheless, the online business is still expecting its revenue to come in above pre-pandemic levels, with its bottom line also showing an improvement.

Mulberry (FY 22 earnings)

Mulberry (LSE: MUL) is a British fashion company. It is best known for its luxury leather goods, particularly women’s handbags. The small-cap company is expected to post its FY22 earnings results for the year ending April 2022 on Wednesday 29 June.

The earnings preview points towards a slight growth in revenue despite a slow down in retail sales lately. This is due to its status as a luxury brand. Due to a lack of liquidity in the stock, its share price has largely stayed unmoved this year. Consequently, there’s a lack of coverage on the stock. Nonetheless, higher revenue with a better EPS could have investors jumping for joy, sending the stock higher.

The post Earnings preview: Wise, Moonpig, Mulberry appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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John Choong has no position in any of the shares mentioned at the time of writing. The Motley Fool UK has recommended PayPal Holdings. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Berkeley (FY22 earnings)

Berkeley (LSE: BKG) is a British property developer and housebuilder. It mainly builds homes and neighbourhoods across London, Birmingham, and the South of England. The company is expected to release its FY22 earnings results for the year ending April 2022 on Wednesday 22 June.

The FTSE earnings preview indicates slight growth, as the housebuilder is expected to have capitalised on higher house prices. Nonetheless, analysts are predicting that if the outlook for FY23 comes in below consensus expectations, Berkeley shares may be in for a tough time.

DS Smith (FY22 earnings)

DS Smith (LSE: SMDS) is a British multinational packaging business. It offers sustainable, plastic-free packaging, integrated recycling services, and sustainable paper products. The firm is expecting to report earnings for the year ending April 2022 on Wednesday 21 June.

Analysts at Jefferies Financial Group recently reduced their EPS estimates for DS Smith. Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, and JP Morgan all reduced their price targets as well. So, if DS Smith can beat its earnings estimates and provide a positive outlook, its share price could recover. Otherwise, a further drop in its stock is to be expected.

Safestore (H1 22 update)

Safestore (LSE: SAFE) is the UK’s largest and Europe’s second-largest provider of self-storage. It has over 120 locations in the UK. The FTSE 250 firm is forecasted to report its earnings results for the six-month period ending April 2022, on Tuesday 21 June.

However, Safestore’s first-half earnings results are yet to be officially announced on its earnings calendar. Nonetheless, these are the figures to look out for. Analysts in the UK don’t normally publish earnings previews for six-month periods, so it’s best to compare the firm’s upcoming 2022 first-half numbers to the ones from a year before. The H1 22 figures can also be useful to determine whether it’ll outperform its FY21 numbers, or even beat analysts’ FY22 forecasts.

The post FTSE earnings preview: Berkeley, DS Smith, Safestore appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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John Choong has no position in any of the shares mentioned at the time of writing. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool UK has recommended DS Smith. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Ashtead

Ashtead (LSE: AHT) is a British industrial equipment rental company. It has networks in the UK, US, and Canada. It also trades under the name of Sunbelt Rentals. The industrial firm is expected to report earnings for its financial year 2022 on Tuesday, 14 June 2022. The earnings preview indicates a positive trend in both its top and bottom lines as it recovers from its pandemic woes.

• Market cap: £17.5bn
• Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio: 18
• Dividend yield: 1.1%

• Earnings per share estimate (FY 2022): £2.47
• Earnings per share (FY 2021): £1.56
• Total revenue estimate (FY 2022): £6.47bn
• Total revenue (FY 2021): £5.0bn

Halma

Halma (LSE: HLMA) is a British global group consisting of safety equipment companies. These firms make products for hazard detection and life protection. The FTSE 100 group is expected to report earnings for its financial year 2022 on Thursday, 16 June 2022. The earnings preview indicates slight growth from the previous year.

• Market cap: £8.0bn
• P/E ratio: 30
• Dividend yield: 0.9%

• Earnings per share estimate (FY 2022): 63.1p
• Earnings per share (FY 2021): 58.7p
• Total revenue estimate (FY 2022): £1.5bn
• Total revenue (FY 2021): £1.3bn

FirstGroup

FirstGroup (LSE: SSE) is a British multi-national transport group. The company operates transport services in the UK. The transport company is expected to report earnings for its financial year 2022 on Tuesday, 14 June 2022. Earnings preview indicates a drop in revenue and a return to unprofitability.

• Market cap: £1.0bn
• P/E ratio: 2
• Dividend yield: –

• Earnings per share estimate (FY 2022): -0.4p
• Earnings per share (FY 2021): 2.4p
• Total revenue estimate (FY 2022): £4.52bn
• Total revenue (FY 2021): £6.8bn

The post Earnings preview: Ashtead, Halma, FirstGroup appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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John Choong has no position in any of the shares mentioned at the time of writing. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Halma. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.