Friday preview: Anglo American results, UK retail sales due

(Sharecast News) - Friday sees the release of results from Anglo American, Segro and TBC Bank, as well as UK retail sales figures. As far as Anglo American is concerned, Derren Nathan, head of equity analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the stock's valuation has strengthened lately, helped by higher copper prices and merger progress with Canada's Teck Resources, which has been cleared by both sets of shareholders.

"Next week's final results will reflect a 6% increase in fourth quarter iron ore production, helped by continued progress at the Kumba mine. However, copper production fell 14% owing to lower ore grades," he said.

"Under the bonnet, there's a mixed outlook for 2026 with copper guidance reducing in this month's production report and the range for iron ore moving up. Investors will want some more colour on this dynamic, as well as comfort on the acceleration expected for most materials in 2027. Anglo made deep cuts to its half-year dividend from $0.48 to $0.07, reflecting losses at discontinued operations and challenges at diamond producer De Beers. Forecasts are for a smaller drop in the final dividend, from $0.25 to $0.22 per share."

In Europe, Air Liquide, Danone, Sika and Kingspan are among those slated to report.

UBS said it expects investors to focus on the 2026 outlook from building materials group Kingspan, current trading, and end market developments.

The bank expects second-half sales to have grown 5% year-on-year to €4.66bn, in line with consensus. For FY26, UBS forecasts sales growth of 7.3% to €9.85bn, a touch below consensus of €9.92bn, and for EBITA to grow 11% to €1.05bn, versus consensus of €1.06bn.

On the macro front, UK government borrowing and retail sales figures for January are due at 0700 GMT, while the S&P flash PMI for manufacturing and services will be released at 0930 GMT.

In the US, investors will eye new home sales data, fourth-quarter GDP and the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index.

Friday February 20

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Mitie Group, MS International, Smithson Investment Trust

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

International Paper Company (DI)

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Homes Sales (US) (20:30)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (19:00)

Personal Income (US) (19:00)

Personal Spending (US) (19:00)

Producer Price Index (GER) (12:30)

Q4

TBC Bank Group

FINALS

Anglo American, SEGRO, TBC Bank Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Reckitt Benckiser Group

AGMS

Chemring Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (05:31)

Public Sector Net Borrowing (12:30)

Retail Sales (12:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Grainger, Hollywood Bowl Group, RWS Holdings