Companies reporting next week

IT IS set to be quieter on the markets next week as the City winds down for Easter. Just a handful of companies are scheduled to report, and economic news is also likely to be thin on the ground.

Retailer Woolworths' full-year figures on Wednesday are expected to show a fall in profits to £15.1m from £79.4m the previous year. The group warned on profits in January, blaming a slower-than-expected Christmas. The results will give an indication as to whether analysts need to revise 2003 figures. The main interest will be current trading - signs that it can turn around the negative sales position and make a start on the path to recovery.

Biotech firm PPL Therapeutics was back in the headlines earlier this year when it produced genetically-modified five piglets, which it said had the potential to provide organs for human patients. The shares surged on the news, but two months later shares slid after its cloned sheep Dolly developed arthritis. On Monday the group is expected to report full-year losses of £12.8m, against a loss for the previous year of £12m. Analysts want an update on the piglets' progress.

Fashion chain Ted Baker is expected to report full-year profits of £9.8m on Tuesday, from £8.2m the previous year. The group said in January it had enjoyed a strong Christmas performance, with sales up 25% and thicker margins, and chief executive Ray Kelvin was confident in the outcome for the full year. Analysts will be looking for more upbeat comments about sales.

Department store chain House of Fraser has been boosted by the booming High Street - underlying festive sales were up 7.2%. Results due Tuesday are expected to show full-year profits up from £17.9m to £25.8m. Investors will also be seeking an update on expansion plans. There are around 50 HoF stores but the group said at its last trading update there was room for growth.

Shipping and property company Forth Ports is expected to post final profits of £38.1m on Monday, slightly ahead of the previous year's £37.1m. Its property arm was boosted last month when it won the go-ahead for a £600m plan to develop the disused Western Harbour area in Edinburgh into a residential and business quarter. Forth has seven ports in Scotland and one in east London and investors want to know how these are faring, against a backdrop of tough economic conditions.

On the economic front, gross domestic products figures on Wednesday are expected to confirm the economy ground to a halt during the last quarter of 2001. Last month's first revision cut the figure from 0.2% to 0% and this is likely to remain the case in the second revision this time round. Economists believe GDP growth should be 2% for 2002 as a whole. Consumer confidence figures on Thursday will be watched for any bearing on interest rates. Another strong number could take Britain a step closer to a rate increase.