Autocatalyst provider Johnson Matthey is likely to be less bullish about its prospects when it declares interim results next Wednesday, given the dramatic collapse in the sales of new cars worldwide.

Broker KBC Peel Hunt reckons London beer group Fuller's heavy presence in the City of London will hurt its profits, as was the case in the last stock market slump in 2002.

Kingfisher has had its price target reduced by Morgan Stanley ahead of the DIY retailer's quarterly results next week.

The certainty of the National Grid's cashflows means that it will be among the first entities that banks and capital markets are happy to back.

London-based brewer Fuller Smith & Turner, which posts first-half results, reported a 2.7% rise in like-for-like sales in its last statement.

A round-up of the biggest director deals today so far.

Baby product chain Mothercare and car part and bike specialist Halfords are helping lift the retail sector higher.

Shares in asset management companies fell after UBS started coverage on the sector saying it prefers more alternative investors to the more traditional groups.

Shares in asset management companies fell after UBS started coverage on the sector saying it prefers more alternative investors to the more traditional groups.

Even the diamond sector is not immune from the credit crunch, Citigroup said as it cut its rating on Gem Diamonds to 'hold' from 'buy'.

WH Ireland has retained its 'outperform' rating on Mothercare after the baby products retailer's results came in ahead of the broker's expectations.

SIG's shares dropped 13pc yesterday. With a 16pc yield, the shares look good value, but there are fears a dividend cut could be on the cards. Sell, says the Telegraph.

Car and cycle components seller Halfords is expected to announce flat profit before tax of £46m in its interim results Thursday, having previously announced first half sales figures that showed a 0.5% fall in like-for-like sales on a year ago.

A round-up of the biggest director deals today so far.

Banking profitability will not be the same for a long while, according to JP Morgan, which has issued a downbeat assessment of the prospects for UK banks.

Broker Charles Stanley is feeling a lot more upbeat about pharmaceuticals company Shire after a Human Genetic Therapies investor day held on 18 November.

Banking profitability will not be the same for a long while, according to JP Morgan, which has issued a downbeat assessment of the prospects for UK banks.