Analysts predict Bovis Homes will become the latest housebuilder to highlight a return to more normal sales levels when it reports half-year figures on Monday.

Concerns over interest rates and the shadow of military action against Iraq have played their part in holding back potential housebuyers.

But Bovis is likely to show that the continued rise in house prices and a reduction in costs have been enough to boost profits, while its retirement homes business is also likely to have improved its contribution.

Stockbroker Fyshe is predicting pre-tax profits of £46.2m for the half, up from £41.5m last year.

Bookmaker William Hill has impressed investors with its form, delivering consistent annual profit growth and analysts are expecting this performance to continue on Monday.

Pre-tax profits are likely to race ahead to about £84.9m from £36.9m last year, according to stock broker Fyshe.

Logistics and personnel recruitment group Hays is expected to post a fall in annual pre-tax profits to £194.9m from £232.1m last time when it reports on Tuesday.

BAE Systems is expected to report improved figures on Thursday with the ramped-up production of the Eurofighter aircraft and strong activity in Saudi Arabia likely to give sales a lift.

Barclays Private Clients is forecasting half-year profits of about £345m compared with £359m last year.

Ferry and seafreight operator P&O is forecast to climb back into the black when it reports interims on Thursday, to pre-tax profits of £20m from losses of £25.7m previously, broker Gerrard said.

Market watchers will want rail and bus operator National Express to update them on progress in negotiating new rail franchises when it unveils half year results on Thursday.

Broker Gerrard forecasts pre-tax profits of £37m.

l Companies reporting results next week include:

Monday

Interims: Bovis Homes, Candover Investments, Chelsfield, Forth Ports, IMI, Informa, Roxboro, Taylor Nelson Sofres, Travis Perkins, TT Electronics, William Hill, John Wood

AGMs: 600 Group

Tuesday

Finals: Alumasc, Dream Direct, Hays, Surfcontrol, Thorntons,

Interims: Abbot Group, Aegis, Biocompatibles (Q2), Bloomsbury Publishing, Bond International, Brandon Hire, Carillon, Dmatek, Ennstone, Gyrus (Q2), iTouch, Jury's Doyle Hotel, Kidde, Kingspan, Litho Supplies, John Menzies, Mersey Docks & Harbour, Morgan Crucible, Premier Farnell, Retail Decisions, Robert Walters, Spectris, Staffware, Torday & Carlisle, Unite, WSP Group, Wyevale Garden Centres

AGMs: Artisan UK, First Property Online, Halladale, Jacques Vert, Northgate, VP

Wednesday

Finals: A&J Mucklow, Spring, Town Centre

Interims: Densitron Technologies, Derwent Valley, Flying Brands, SMG, UK Coal, Whatman (Q2).

AGMs: Bidtimes, Dixons, Matrix Venture, Reliance Security, Singer & Frielander AIM, Stanley Leisure

EGMs: Topnotch

Thursday

Finals: Galliford Try, McBride, Profile Therapeutics

Interims: BAE Systems, City Centre Restaurants, Geest, National Express, P&O, Tikit, Spirax-Sarco Engineering, Trafficmaster

AGMs: Wintrust

Friday

Finals: NXT

Interims: Photo-Scan, SVB Holdings

AGMs: Eliza Tinsley