Lamprell in focus on what will be a quieter start to fourth quarter

Pinch-punch Thursday’s the first in the month and offshore services firm Lamprell PLC (LON:LAM) will be in focus as it releases its next set of results. It is otherwise a quieter diary following Wednesday’s end-of-quarter rush of announcements. Investors in Lamprell will be keen for an update on how the company is handling the challenging trading environment, particularly commentary around the pipeline and tenders for new business. Lamprell back in July told investors that progress through its bid pipeline (which amounts to around US$5.5bn of work) had slowed due to the pandemic. The company also said that it continues to see encouraging activity notably with Saudi Aramco and separately the fast-growing offshore wind business. It pointed out that its presence in Saudi Arabia allows it access to revenue opportunities in an otherwise challenged oil industry. In renewables, meanwhile, the company flagged that it continued to see an increasing number of quality projects. Thursday 1 October Interims: Burford Capital Limited (LON:BUR), Lamprell PLC (LON:LAM) FTSE 100 ex-dividends to knock 4.93 points off the index: British American Tobacco PLC (LON:BATS), Smith & Nephew PLC (LON:SN.) Economic data: UK manufacturing PMI, US personal income, US jobless claims, US manufacturing PMI.