Retailers are set to dominate the financial headlines next week, although firms in a range of other sectors will also update the market with trading figures.

The City will be anxiously waiting results from supermarket group Morrisons on Wednesday - less than a week after it shocked investors with its second profits warning in less than a year.

Stockbroker Charles Stanley is now expecting pre-tax profits to come in at £324.6m against £319m last time.

Clothing chain Next shaved its annual profits forecasts by £5m in January due to a glut of excess stock, leaving it forecasting profits in the range of £415m to £425m.

The market will be focusing attention on like-for-like sales growth, although analysts say Next has been happy to let new stores erode some of the sales of existing shops.

Traders will also want to know whether new ranges from Marks & Spencer have managed to have an impact on the group's performance.

Fund manager Gerrard is tipping Next to post pre-tax profits of £429m on Wednesday, up from £353m previously.

Analysts seeking an answer to the question of whether shoppers are shunning big-ticket items in favour of other purchases will seize upon the results of electricals chain Kesa on Wednesday, which should show profits rising to £193.4m in the 12 months to January 29 from £176.6m a year earlier.

Investors are hoping for impressive results from Plumb Center owner Wolseley on Monday. The group is expected to report interim pre-tax profits of £300m against £245m a year before.

Broker Charles Stanley said it expected to see further acquisitions totalling about £200m to £225m, with potential for larger purchases up to £1bn.

Barratt Developments is tipped to report a rise in pre-tax profits to £150m from £142.6m previously.