THE continuing effect of last month's petrol crisis is likely to overshadow proceedings next week when a number of retailers announce their results.

Furniture group DFS, which posts its full-year results on Thursday, is expected to show solid pre-tax profits growth of £44m, against £25.7m last time round.

With many of its stores in out-of-town retail parks, the City will be keen to know whether, like many of its rivals, it was stung by the petrol crisis deterring shoppers from using their cars.

Sportswear retailer JJB Sports could be hit by the same problem when it reports half-year figures on Wednesday.

The group is expected to show steady growth, with pre-tax profits forecast to rise to £29m, from £23.2m last time round.

Conversely, the petrol crisis could have benefited catalogue retailer N Brown if it is able to show more people were prepared to try shopping from home rather then climbing into their cars.

The Manchester-based group, which sells a range of clothing, footwear and household items, is predicted to show half-year profits before tax on Tuesday of £23.7m, compared with £21.4m last time round.

The future of the transfer market and the cost of players' wages are likely to be on the pitch when Newcastle United reports its full year results on Monday.

Last time round the club's poor performance was blamed for taking a bite out of earnings.

But this year it has been a better year both on and off the pitch, with manager Bobby Robson threatening to restore the club's good times, and pre-tax profits are forecast to come in at around £5.7m, compared with £1.4m last time.

The City is expecting big things from chip designer Arm Holdings when it report third quarter figures on Wednesday.

The arrival of the new generation of computer games consoles and its contracts with Nintendo could help Arm continue its meteoric rise.

lCompanies reporting next week:

MONDAY - Finals: Newcastle United, Sportsworld Media. Interims: Harvey Nash, Interx.

TUESDAY - Finals: James R Knowles, St Ives. Interims: N Brown Group, Incepta Group, Rugby Estates.

WEDNESDAY - Finals: Tepnel Life Sciences, Town Centre Securities.

Interims: Arm (Q3), JJB Sports, Ted Baker.

THURSDAY - Finals: DFS Furniture Company. Interims: Euro Telecom Communications.

FRIDAY - No results.