What's in store today...

Chris Thomas
30.10.09 00:01

Pharmaceutical company Shire Pharmaceuticals (SHP) and advertising giant WPP (WPP) share their trading updates today in a quiet day in the corporate calendar.

Shire is currently undergoing a major transition within the company, as Adderall XR's hyperactivity drug has seen sales slip 77% in the previous quarter due to competition. However, hopes are pinned on the trading update showing that sales of other drugs have offset this.

Also today is WPP's latest update.

Chief executive Martin Sorrell saw profit tumble 47% in the first-half of the year, but investors in WPP will be buoyed by signs of increased advertising revenue at broadcaster ITV (ITV) - pointing to companies loosening their purse strings to promote more.

Revenue for the three-month period to 30 September is expected to be just over 9% down on last year - an improvement on the second quarter's 10.5% like-for-like fall.

Trading statement

WPP, Shire Pharmaceuticals

AGMs

Adalta Real, Associated British Engineering, Coburg Group

Dividend payment date

(Final) Alumasc Group, Begbies Traynor Group, British Smaller Technology Companies VCT 2, F&C Commercial Property Trust, Glasgow Income Trust, ILX Group, Mithras Investment Trust, New City Energy, Shires Smaller Companies Trust, Sky High

(Interim) BrainJuicer Group, Charlemagne Capital, Costain Group, CRH, Dignity, Dillistone, Filtrona PLC, G4S, Independent Media Distribution, Inmarsat, Invesco Perpetual European Absolute Return Trust, IS Solutions, Morson Group, Norman Hay, Octopus Eclipse VCT 2, Octopus Protected VCT 1, STM Group, Ukrproduct Group, Vitec Group, Wynnstay Group

(Quarterly) Henderson Financial Opportunities Limited, Mercantile Inv Trust, Schroder Income Growth Fund, Torchmark Corp

What's in store today...

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