The week ahead: Betting on big things from Ladbrokes Coral

Monday 27 March

Trading statements

Toople, YouGov, Inspired Energy, Bank Of Cyprus Holdings, X5 Retail Group, SpaceandPeople, Eleco

Tuesday 28 March

On Tuesday, Ladbrokes Coral issues maiden results since the two betting companies' £2.3 billion merger in November.

Broker Peel Hunt reckons analysis of the results is likely to be complicated as the market will need to absorb the new reporting structure of the group. However, after positive trading in relation to last week's Cheltenham Festival for bookies, they expect the tone of the results to be "very positive".

The newly formed company issued a trading statement on 18 January, guiding for operating profit of between £275-285 million, including a contribution from shops to be transferred but excluding any contribution from expected synergies.

UBS thinks the figure will be nearer £260 million, but reckons the shares are "attractively valued" on a forecast 2017 price/earnings (PE) ratio of 12 times.

It also urges us to watch out for comment on cost savings. There's potential for Ladbrokes Coral to increase its target to as much as £100 million from £65 million currently.

Both brokers have 'buy' recommendations on the stock, with Peel Hunt the more bullish at a 200p target price compared to UBS's 160p.

Look out, though, for comment on UK regulation going forward, which Peel Hunt says is "uncertain". However, with a parliamentary report on fixed-odds betting terminals due to be delivered by spring, they assert that clarity is not far off. "And clarity could set off the next round of M&A in which, we believe, LCL would be a likely participant."

Trading statements

United Utilities, Thomas Cook, Wolseley, Moss Bros, Inland Homes, Artilium, Ergomed, Instem, Ladbrokes Coral, LiDCO, Yu Group, Silence Therapeutics, Premier Technical Services, Personal Group Holdings, Ebiquity, Gulf Marine Services, Barr (A G), Card Factory, Cloudcall Group, AA

AGM/EGM

Angus Energy, Adept4

Wednesday 29 March

Trading statements

Stagecoach, Jackpotjoy, Alliance Pharma, Saga, Johnston Press, Faron Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge Cognition Holdings, Centaur Media, Gresham House, India Capital Growth Fund Ltd, Transense Technologies, James Halstead, Allergy Therapeutics

Thursday 30 March

Trading statements

RPC Group, Booker, Amryt Pharma, SciSys, Anglo Pacific Group, International Public Partnership Ltd, Genel Energy

AGM/EGM

Intelligent Energy Holdings, Milestone, Aberdeen Diversified Income And Growth Trust

Friday 31 March

Trading statements

IPSA Group, Starcom, Chesnara, Management Resource Solutions, Touchstone Innovations, Pantheon Resources

This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.