The FTSE 100 Index jumped this week, continuing a trend that started in April when it tumbled to £7,545. It has jumped by almost 15% and is now hovering at its highest level since April 2nd.
The Footsie will be in the spotlight next week as some top companies publish their financial results and as the UK publishes the latest inflation data. That inflation report will provide more color on what to expect from the Bank of England (BoE) in the coming meetings.
This article explores some of the top FTSE 100 shares to watch next week as they publish their financial results.
Vodafone (VOD)
Vodafone, a telecommunications giant, will be one of the top FTSE 100 shares to watch next week as it releases its financial results. These numbers come as its stock has largely moved sideways in the past few months.
Investors will want to see whether the company’s business is doing well in key markets like Germany. The most recent results showed that the total revenue rose by 5% to 9.8 billion euros. Service revenue rose by 5.6% to 7.9 billion euros even as Germany, its biggest market, dropped by 6.4%.
The company will also provide an update about its merger with Three, a deal that the CMA approved in 2024. This merger helped to create a big competitor to BT Group, the parent company of EE.
Vodafone will also provide an updated outlook for the year, including its Three operations. Its previous guidance was for its EBITDAaL of 11 billion and free cash flow of 2.4 billion euros. It may also decide to increase its share repurchase program.
BT Group (BT.A)
BT Group will be the other top FTSE 100 Index company to watch next week as it releases its full-year numbers. Its shares have done well this year, rising from a low of 137.20p in January to 165.15p today.
The last financial results revealed that BT Group’s revenue dropped by 3% in the third quarter to £5.183 billion. Its consumer business revenue dropped by 2% to £2.49 billion, while the business segment fell by 2% to £1.984 billion.
The only bright spot was its Openreach business, whose revenue rose by 1% to £1.53 billion, helped by its record fibre build.
The management expects that its annual free cash flow will jump to £2 billion in 2027 and £3 billion by the end of the year.
EasyJet (EZJ)
The EasyJet share price has rebounded in the past few months, moving from a low of 401p to a high of 555p. It is now hovering at its highest level since December 27, and is within touching distance to its highest point last year.
EasyJet’s business has continued doing well as demand for leisure travel in Europe has jumped. The last recent numbers showed that its group revenue jumped by 14% to £9.3 billion, while the after tax profit soared by 40% to £452 million. It also boosted its dividend payout.
Read more: Here’s why the EasyJet share price could surge 40%
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
The Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) will be another top FTSE 100 company to watch. Its stock has rebounded from 1,543p in April to 2,040p today.
These results will provide more color about its business because of the ongoing concerns about the private equity sector. Top investors have been reluctant to allocate more cash in the PE sector because of the liquidity issues.
The company ended the year with $107 billion in assets, up by 27.5% from a year earlier. $7.2 billion of these funds came in the last quarter of the year, bringing the total fundraising in 2024 to $22 billion.
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