Wednesday preview: Stagecoach, Imagination Technologies report

Stagecoach delivers its first half earnings report on Tuesday and is expected to offer up a solid set of results. In the six months to the end of October, the transport group is anticipated to show growth, driven by its UK bus business.In October the company reported strong like-for-like revenue growth, boosted by North America, which was up more than 7%. At the time the group stated that it expects a significant increase in its overall North American operating profits in the fiscal year 2014.Investec reiterated an 'add' rating, saying the "overall, the group remains upbeat about the outlook and hence we expect to keep our positive view".Imagination Technologies (IMG) will also issue its first half results tomorrow.The company last updated in mid-Sept with first quarter results showing robust royalty revenue growth and "steady" licensing activity.Since then, the launch of new Apple iPhones and iPads, which should account for 38% of fiscal year 2014 royalty units, has experienced demand ahead of expectations, Numis noted. "This positions IMG well to report further strong growth in royalty revenue," the broker said. "Our forecast of 20% growth in IMG royalty units and 13% growth in US$ royalty revenue to $70m/£45m has scope to be beaten."However, the analyst highlighted the "very weak" licensing revenue in the second half of 2013, which dropped to $15m/£10m after averaging $28m/£18m in the prior three halves. Wednesday December 11thINTERIMSBegbies Traynor Group, Darty, Imagination Technologies Group, Stagecoach GroupINTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE3i Group, API Group, Babcock International Group, Betfair Group, Big Yellow Group, Caffyns, Caledonia Investments, China Chaintek United Co. Limited, Cropper (James), Daisy Group, Falkland Islands Holdings, Foresight 2 VCT Infrastructure Shares, Foresight VCT Infrastructure Shares, Hyder Consulting, Investec, Juridica Investments Ltd., MDM Engineering Group Ltd. (DI), Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, MS International, Northgate, Plastics Capital, Sepura, Telford Homes, Ventus 2 VCT, Ventus 2 VCT 'C' Shares, Ventus VCT, Ventus VCT 'C' Shares, Vianet GroupQUARTERLY PAYMENT DATEM Winkworth, UnileverQUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATEXP Power Ltd. (DI)INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTSConsumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)GMSTangiers Petroleum Ltd (DI)SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE3i Group, Juridica Investments Ltd., MDM Engineering Group Ltd. (DI)EGMSMiddlefield Canadian Income PCCAGMSFrontier Mining Ltd (DI), International Biotech Trust, Sareum Holdings, YouGovTRADING ANNOUNCEMENTSCarillion, PZ CussonsFINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATEFinsbury Food Group, London Finance & Investment GroupFINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATEBellway, JPMorgan Chinese Inv Trust, K3 Business Technology Group, Netcall, Numis Corporation, Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund, Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies Trust, Waterman GroupRD