Companies reporting next week

THE recent lull in results will be brought to an end next week when a wide mix of companies puts the market's new-found confidence to the test.

Housebuilder Persimmon's limited exposure to the London property market, coupled with its investment into growth areas of the UK, should have worked to its advantage during the first half of its financial year.

Fund manager Gerrard is expecting an interim dividend rise from 4.75p a share to 5.2p on Tuesday. Pre-tax profits are forecast to rise from £117.2m to £140m.

Earlier this summer York-based Persimmon said it had a land bank equivalent to a 4.5 years supply of housing. It has continued to grow by expanding its Charles Church brand into new regional markets.

Harpic-to-Calgonit group Reckitt Benckiser is expected to use its interim results announcement on Tuesday to offer some guidance on whether it will use excess cash for acquisitions or share buybacks.

Revenues growth during the first half of the year has been strong, reaching 6.5% compared with Reckitt's target at the start of the year of between 5% and 6%.The weak US dollar will hurt the performance, although profits are expected to rise to £267m from £237m as Reckitt benefits from updated version of its products and a recovery in its emerging markets.

Temporary power supplier Aggreko's troubled US arm was given an unexpected boost earlier this month when the power cut in north-east America caused a surge in demand for its products.

That came too late to save half-year results, which the company has warned will be weaker than hoped. Fund manager Gerrard has pencilled in profits of £17m, against £25.6m last time.

Oversupply has continued to place pressure on Aggreko's US market, although the company may have benefited from the recent hot weather in Europe and could cheer investors with contract news. Deals in the past have included providing power at the football World Cup and the Winter Olympics.

Leisure group Hilton is expected to portray contrasting fortunes for the two sides of its business when it reports first-half results on Thursday.

The group's 400 hotels have been ravaged by the effect of the Iraq war, Sars and the global economic downturn as business travellers stay at home.

Bookmaking chain Ladbrokes is likely to have enjoyed a strong performance with growth in telephone and internet gambling, and a good start from the fixed odds betting terminals introduced in the past year. Fund manager Gerrard is forecasting pre-tax profits of £110m compared with £130m in 2002.

Investors will be looking for answers as to how packaging firm Rexam can overcome weaker demand for drink cans when the company publishes first-half figures on Thursday.

Barclays Private Clients forecasts a fall in pre-tax profits to £125m from £134m, after bad weather in the north eastern US meant fewer consumers bought canned soft drinks.

Currency translations related to the US dollar's decline are also expected to take their toll on the bottom line. A sales update for Europe will be closely watched while plastic packaging operations are likely to have been strong.

Pest control to tropical plants specialist Rentokil Initial has already pointed to an improved performance for the first four months of the year.

Analysts at Fyshe expect it to unveil first half pre-tax profits of £196m on Thursday, from £186.6m in 2002.

Margins are the main interest with good news expected from its security operations. Facilities management margins have been under pressure. Investors are also seeking guidance on acquisitions, particularly for the security and hygiene units.