Retailing and Corporate Earnings Take Centre Stage

Strategic Insights -

This week, retailing and corporate earnings figures from top companies dominate the headlines, providing a snapshot of the global economy. Key players in the leisure sector, such as Enterprise Inns, Greenalls, and Bass, share their numbers, highlighting the growth and challenges within the industry. Meanwhile, technology giants like Hewlett-Packard and Siemens release their quarterly earnings reports, offering insights into their performance and future prospects.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hewlett-Packard is expected to report 81 cents in second-quarter earnings per share, a 24% year-on-year increase, driven by growth in printer sales and improvement in personal computer businesses.
  • Siemens will present its detailed semi-annual report, with attention focused on last year's problem areas in transportation technology, semiconductors, and energy.
  • The segment breakdown of first-half figures is a new development for Siemens, with only the power generation division expected to report a profit.
  • Telefonica is expected to report a 30% increase in net profit after minorities for the first quarter to March 31, reaching Pta42.7bn-Pta43bn (£169m-£171m).
  • The US GAAP standard conversion is a significant move for Siemens, accelerating the listing of its financial reporting and paving the way for a potential US listing in 1999.

Statistics:

  • Hewlett-Packard's second-quarter earnings per share is expected to rise by 24% year-on-year to 81 cents.
  • Siemens' net profit for the six months to March reached DM1.39bn (£469m).
  • Telefonica's net profit after minorities for the first quarter to March 31 is expected to increase by 30% to Pta42.7bn-Pta43bn (£169m-£171m).
  • Siemens' DM61.2bn (£52.1bn) sales for six months to March marked a significant improvement.
  • KWU, the power generation division, is the only segment expected to report a profit in Siemens' first-half figures.

Sources:

  • Financial Times Limited, 1999
  • Hewlett-Packard earnings release, not explicitly dated
  • Siemens semi-annual report, not explicitly dated
  • Telefonica earnings release, not explicitly dated