STV is expected to report a 10% fall in advertising revenue and confirm that its savings target is on track in year-end results that will also deliver an early response to its new radio station.
The broadcaster has already learned that Ofcom has delayed a decision on the plan to scale back news operations in north east Scotland until after the Scottish elections.
This is key to its savings plan and CEO Rufus Radcliffe is expected to confirm cost savings will protect profitability and provide balance sheet resilience.
STV Studios closed the year with an order book of £33m, down from £40m in August, in a sector “where activity remains subdued”. However, there have been no cancelled commissions.
The radio station launched in January to an “early positive response from the advertising market and audiences,” according to its most recent update. Analysts will be looking to see if it has gained traction with listeners and drawing the attention of advertisers.
JD Wetherspoon
AJ Bell says Wetherspoons has always prioritised sales over margins and keeping its prices as cheap and cheerful is a key part of the chain’s appeal, but its commitment could be tested heading into first-half results on Friday.
A post-Christmas trading update led to a steep drop in pub group’s shares. The stock had mounted a recovery in recent weeks before events in the Middle East intervened, but its skinny margins combined with a large estate of pubs to light and heat leaves it heavily exposed to rising energy prices.
With value such a key part of Wetherspoons’ appeal, it must balance the need to pass on these increased costs while keeping its pints, coffee and food cheap enough to get punters through the doors. Investors will be looking for updates on how the company is navigating this challenge and the impact it might have on profit guidance for the current year.
It is taking over a unit in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, previously occupied by Revolution Bars.
US and UK central bank interest rate decisions
Interest rates had been anticipated on both sides of the Atlantic, but the war in the Gulf has changed expectations and the chances of a March interest rate cut from the Bank of England has gone from a shoo-in (80%-plus) to an extreme long shot (less than 9%).
The energy shock provides a reasonable excuse for monetary policymakers in Threadneedle Street and Washington to sit on their hands this week, say AJ Bell analysts.
But the markets will be watching closely for any signals on how they plan to deal with surging oil and gas prices and whether they see it as a short-term bump to look through, or a development that has significantly altered the prospects for inflation and interest rates in the longer term.
In the UK, the current betting is rates will remain flat for the rest of 2026 and beyond, with the odds weighted more in favour of a hike than a cut. In the US, things look more finely balanced as the Fed awaits a change at the top later this spring.
DIARY
Monday 16 March
- Full-year results from Standard Life
- First half results from Beeks Financial Cloud
Tuesday 17 March
- Full-year results from Prudential, STV, Travis Perkins and Trustpilot
- First-half results from Close Brothers
Wednesday 18 March
- Full-year results from Softcat
- Trading statement from Moonpig
- US interest rates
Thursday 19 March
- Full-year results from Energean and Central Asia Metals
- UK interest rates
- Eurozone interest rates
Friday 20 March
- First-half results from JD Wetherspoon and Smiths Group
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