BA should see pre-tax profits of £246m

The impact of fuel costs and the slowing US economy should overshadow British Airways' assessment of the last nine months of 2000.

If these factors are excluded, pre-tax profits in the region of £246m are predicted for the airline on Monday, compared to £47m for the same period in 1999.

Analysts say these figures will be distorted by the inclusion of profits and losses on the company's disposals.

Rio Tinto is expected to benefit from a weak Australian dollar, rising aluminium and copper prices when it reports its final figures for 2000 on Monday.

BOC's first-quarter report, due to be published on Tuesday, is expected to show the benefits of new plant investment, price increases, Asian growth and rationalisation programmes.

On Wedneday BSKyB's finals should reflect the growth in the company's Direct-to-Home (DTH) subscriber base from four million to almost five million. Total subscribers have risen from 8.4 million to 9.6 million. David Liston of Gerrard stockbrokers says underlying operations should show an operating margin of 6% for the first half, against 3.2% last year.

Barclays will be looking to report a big set of profits on Thursday morning. These will be the first set of results released after last year's acquisition of Woolwich and should show an increase in operating profits of almost a quarter. Underlying earnings per share are only expected to advance by 6%.

BT also releases its interims on Thursday. Severe competition in its fixed-line business is expected to lead to a sharp drop in underlying profits.

On the same day ICI is expected to record a tough fourth quarter in its core businesses. Shell's final results on Thursday should show solid growth in earnings mainly as a result of strong oil and gas prices. Daniel Krimholz says the petrochemicals business could be the exception due to weak demand and high feedstocks.

No "nasty surprises" are expected in Unilever's post-year trading statement, which is also out on Thursday. David Liston predicts that sales growth in Unilever's 400 priority brands should have risen by 4% in the final quarter. This means the company will keep up its record of accelerating sales growth in each quarter of 2000.