Companies reporting next week

HOUSEBUILDER

It has been a year of mixed fortunes for defence group Chemring, which posts final figures on Tuesday. It began with a £15.5m acquisition in the US, which made it the Pentagon's largest supplier of infra-red, anti-missile decoys. But Chemring was also hit by an explosion at one of its factories, which could have an impact on earnings.

Analysts are forecasting pre-tax profits for the year to October 31 of £9.1m, an improvement on the prior year's £7.1m.

Stanley Leisure, the gaming and gambling group, publishes interim figures on Wednesday. It has suffered knockbacks including the impact of foot-and-mouth on horse racing. But analysts believe pre-tax profits will improve from £15.9m to £16.5m.

Software group Misys, a former member of the blue-chip FTSE 100 Index, issues its interim figures on Thursday. Fund manager Gerrard is forecasting a dip in pre-tax profits, from £51.2m last year to £47.6m, on the back of the tech slowdown.

Carphone Warehouse issues its trading statement on Wednesday, which should show how it is coping with the fall in demand for new mobile sales. Shares in the group have slid in recent weeks, affected by investor concerns about Christmas sales.

Materials technology group Porvair is forecast to post pre-tax profits of £3.5m on Wednesday, against £3.9m the previous year. The group counts among its products waterproof socks and ceramic moulds for toilet bowls. Profits will be affected by research and development into fuel cell technology.