INVESTORS will be hoping for uplifting news and even a touch of magic from the corporate sector next week when a number of high-profile companies offer a timely update on the economic outlook.

Aerospace and engineering group Smiths' exposure to the troubled aviation industry will be the key concern at its final results on Wednesday.

A raft of exceptionals are expected in the results after last year's £4.5bn merger between Smiths Industries and TI Group, which formed the company. Gerrard predicts pre-tax profits of £465m, up from £266m.

Plumbing and building materials group Wolseley could suffer from the impact of the terror attack on the US, where it generates a large amount of revenue.

Wolseley's UK arm has performed well, but weaker market conditions have hit its French arm and low US lumber prices have not helped. Pre-tax profits should come in at £347m, down from £357m.

Consumer confidence will once more be on the minds of investors on Tuesday when retailer House of Fraser unveils its interim figures.

Over recent months the group has overhauled its department stores and analysts are hoping strong like-for-like sales will help cut back half-year losses from £6.5m last year to £1.5m this time round.

What better time for some magic on the stock market than Wednesday, when kid wizard Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury reports its interim figures.

The phenomenal success of the Harry Potter books helped double Bloomsbury's full-year profits, and the City is expecting continued growth with interims due to come in at £2.4m from £273,000 last year.

l Companies reporting next week:

MONDAY - Finals: Aero Inventory, Benchmark Group, Charteris, Close Brothers, Freeport, Leeds United, Merival Moore, Ricardo, White Young Green. Interims: Imprint Search & Selection, T&S Stores.

TUESDAY - Finals: Compel Group, ICM Computer Group, Profitle Media, Wolseley. Interims: Clinton Cards, Global Group, Hiscox, House of Fraser, Metalrax, Oxford Glycosciences, QSP Group, Reed Executive, Solitaire Group.

WEDNESDAY - Finals: Barratt Developments, Marylebone Warwick Balfour, Smiths Group. Interims: Bloomsbury Publishing, Easynet Group, London Forfaiting Company, NMT Group, Ocean Wilson Holdings, Ottakar's, Sport Entertainment & Media.

THURSDAY - Interims: Alizyme, Alltracel Pharmaceuticals, Empire Interactive, Hanover International, Henry Boot, John Laing, Maiden Group, Wellington Holdings.

FRIDAY - Finals: Northamber, NXT, Stavert Zigomala. Interims: Cox Insurance, Dana Petroleum, Goshawk Insurance Holdings, Multi Group, Pennant International Group, Stoddard International