SHARE OF THE WEEK: Can Currys provide some evidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

Can Currys provide any evidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

Investors in the electronics retailer will certainly be hoping for some optimism after earnings took a major hit.

It will publish results for the first half of the year on Thursday, providing insight into how the crucial Christmas shopping period is going on the High Street.

Stock prices are at their lowest levels since 2009, as companies tried to recover from the financial crisis.

Currys shares have fallen by 34 percent in the past year.

At the July annual results, CEO Alex Baldock announced declining turnover and profit. “Looking ahead, we are wary of optimism about consumer purchasing power,” he had said.

The results will show whether consumers delay purchasing expensive items such as televisions, mobile phones and washing machines.

Analysts at AJ Bell expect full-year 2024 sales to fall 5 percent from £9.5 billion to £9 billion.

In the first half of last year, sales were £4.5 billion.

While a sale of the Greek operations is expected to raise £156 million and relieve some of the pressure, analysts also predict profits will take a hit due to poor trading in the Nordic countries.

Shareholders will want to see if sales have improved in the area, which generates about 40 percent of Curry's sales.

The company has faced competition in this market after rivals offered heavy discounts.