Wednesday preview: WA votes in Parliament, Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Investors may be facing heightened volatility on Wednesday, as financial markets digest the result of Parliament's vote on Theresa May's proposal for the UK's withdrawal agreement with the European Union.

Going into the vote, some analysts were putting the odds of a vote in her favour at roughly 10%, which would trigger a vote on a no-deal exit on Wednesday and if the result of that was negative, then a third vote on Thursday on asking Brussels for a short on extension on Article 50.

Hence, heightened uncertainty remained, among other reasons because the EU might impose conditions on any extension.

As well, there was the possibility of various wildcards to contend with, including May's resignation or a no-confidence vote.

Against that backdrop, the Chancellor was to deliver his Spring Statement, although the markets' focus may well turn out to be on the OBR's forecasts for economic growth over the next fiscal year, which might limit Philip Hammond's to dole out largesse.

On the corporate side of things, Hikma Pharmaceuticals is among the companies slated to release full-year results.

Consensus has penciled-in earnings per share of $1.29 versus $1.05 the last time around on a 6.7% increase in sales to $2.07bn, likely helped by better-than-expected sales of injectables Stateside and higher revenues from its generics arm.

But supply disruptions, especially in opioids, meant that management was likely to offer "cautious" guidance on US injectables heading into fiscal year 2019, which might trigger consensus downgrades, Numis analyst Paul Cordon said.

"We also note the weak recent Q4 performance from Teva and Mylan, which may affect the generics outlook into FY19," he added.

"We would not expect any further update on the generic Advair program at this point with the trial nearing completion and due to be submitted to the FDA around the middle of the year

Wednesday March 13

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (14:30)

Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (11:00)

Producer Price Index (US) (12:30)

Q4

Transgloble Energy Corporation NPV (DI)

FINALS

Advanced Medical Solutions Group, Avast, Balfour Beatty, Burford Capital , Dignity, ECSC Group, EKF Diagnostics Holdings , Empresaria Group, Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI), Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Kenmare Resources, Lookers, Manx Telecom , Marshall Motor Holdings, Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets, Prudential, Quilter, SafeCharge International Group Limited (DI), Sigmaroc , Standard Life Aberdeen, StatPro Group, Transgloble Energy Corporation NPV (DI)

AGMS

Independent Inv Trust