Abbey National to release UK report next week

Banking and insurance stocks will be at the forefront of minds on the London market next week as a clutch of leading companies issue annual results. They include Abbey National, which will be eager to put a turbulent 2002 behind it.

British American Tobacco, which has been speculated in recent days to be eyeing up rival Gallaher as a takeover target, has been the subject of downgraded earnings forecasts because of the impact of the weak US dollar and lower volumes.