Next to report results next week

Analysts are forecasting flat pre-tax profits, at £116m (€163.6m) against £115.8m (€163.3m) last time, when clothing and accessories retailer Next reports interim results on Thursday.

They say growth in pre-tax profit will be held back by both a change in the reporting calendar, which includes an extra week of the sale period in the first half compared to last year and a sharp increase in interest payable, reflecting the cost of the company’s share buyback programme.