Thursday preview: Carnival reports full-year results, UK retail sales, US jobless claims

Carnival is a major beneficiary of the collapse in the price of oil, Numis said ahead of the cruise operator’s annual results on Thursday.

“If current fuel prices are broadly maintained, we estimate a bunker fuel cost saving of over $500m in full year (FY) 2015 and we recently increased our FY15 earnings per share forecast by 35% from $2.20 to $3.00,” the broker said.

“Our confidence in the upgrade is reinforced by growing evidence that yields in the industry are on an upward curve.”

The analyst added that the earnings prospects look bright as demand improve and fuel costs decline.

However Numis reiterated its ‘hold’ rating, citing concerns about capacity in the market, the increased China focus and the sustainability of low fuel prices.

In macro-economic data, UK retail sales are forecast to rise 4.5% in November after a 4.6% increase a month earlier.
A report on US initial jobless claims is expected to show a 295,000 increase in the week to December 295,000. Also in the US, Markit’s purchasing managers’ index on services activity is due out.

In the euro-area, the IFO institute’s index on German business confidence is forecast to rise to 105.5 in December from 104.7 in November.

Thursday 18 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
IFG Group, PayPoint

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Berkeley Group Holdings (The), Edge Performance VCT 'E' Shares, First Property Group, Greene King, Halfords Group, JPMorgan Euro Small Co. Trust, Mitie Group, Octopus AIM VCT, United Utilities Group, World Trust Fund

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)
IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)
IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
Leading Indicators (US) (15:00)
Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (15:00)

GMS
GlaxoSmithKline

FINALS
LXB Retail Properties

ANNUAL REPORT
easyHotel

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Polymetal International, Polyus Gold International Ltd

EGMS
Air China Ltd., DP World Limited, Societatea Commerciala De Distributie Si Furnizare A Energiei Electrice S.A. GDR (Reg S)

AGMS
Frontera Resources Corporation (DI), JPMorgan Elect Managed Inc 'C' Shares, JPMorgan Elect Managed Cash Shares, JPMorgan Elect Managed Growth Shares, JPMorgan Elect Managed Income Shares, Northern Venture Trust, Schroder Income Growth Fund, Societatea Commerciala De Distributie Si Furnizare A Energiei Electrice S.A. GDR (Reg S)

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Internet Retail Sales (09:30)
Retail Sales (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
GETECH Group, Ibex Global Solutions, St Ives, Utilitywise

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Artemis VCT, Carr's Milling Industries, Gooch & Housego, Hangar 8, Marston's, OMG