All eyes on Ryanair as airline releases last pre-Brexit financial results

Monday

Results: Ryanair, Alphabet. 
Indicators: Irish services PMI (Jan), exchequer returns (Jan); euro zone PPI (Dec); UK construction PMI (Jan); US retail sales (Dec), construction spending (Dec), factory orders (Dec).

Ryanair results due

Ryanair is about to report its last set of results – probably – before the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union having steered much of the conversation around what is likely to happen afterwards.

The low-cost carrier releases third-quarter numbers on Monday. Earlier this month, it lowered its full-year guidance from €1.1 to €1.2 billion to about €1 to €1.1 billion on the back of weaker winter fares, expected to fall by 7 per cent rather than the previously estimated 2 per cent.

It said a lower fare environment would continue to “shake out” loss-making competitors.

Housing costs: How Dublin compares with other global cities

---

Brexit exasperation turns to anger in Dublin and Brussels

---

Euro zone inflation falls to 1.4%

---

Up to one in three UK businesses ‘could move operations abroad’

---

In a note at the time Davy said this was "good for market share as evidenced by Norwegian's recent announcement of its plans to close bases in Rome, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Palma, where it competed head-to-head with Ryanair".

Meanwhile, future concerns around post-Brexit conditions in the sector appear to be taking some shape.

Late last year, chief executive Michael O'Leary said UK planes could be grounded for up to three weeks. However, at an economics conference in Kerry earlier this month, Peter Bellew, chief operating officer, said: "I don't see there being an overnight stoppage of any flights" – due to complicated contingency plans under way by airlines.

Separately, the Commission for Aviation Regulation said it was satisfied Irish airlines would be in compliance with EU ownership rules to continue flying into the UK.

Tuesday

Results: Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, Walt Disney, Yelp, Jones Lang LaSalle. 
Indicators: Irish industrial production (Dec), unemployment (Jan); euro zone composite and services PMI (Jan), retail sales (Dec); UK new car sales (Jan), services PMI (Jan); German composite and services PMI (Jan); US exports and imports (Dec), composite and services PMI (Jan). 
Meetings: Checkout Conference for retail sector (InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4).

Checkout conference to focus on sustainable retail

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the annual Checkout conference for the grocery retail sector and, if it describes itself as a “continually turbulent industry”, then 2019 stands to be among its shakiest periods.

Brexit and the creep of online sales, even in the grocery area, are obvious challenges and it is no surprise they form a central part of this year’s event.

But other more esoteric aspects of the sector will be unwrapped on Monday. There is a noticeable focus on sustainable retail – “looking at how retailers are responding to the needs of the ethical and responsible shopper”. Key among these is packaging and efforts by businesses to rid themselves of single-use plastics in a rapidly evolving customer environment with its environmental ethic.

Research published by Checkout late last year showed 91 per cent of shoppers believe retailers need to accelerate efforts to reduce the amount of packaging used on grocery products.

The data published by Nielsen showed Irish people were willing to educate themselves when it comes to environmental issues. Retailers who stay ahead of the game are likely to benefit – shortly before the Nielsen study, Lidl announced its intention to clear its shelves of plastics used on fruit and veg products that could not be recycled. There is a sense this is just the beginning.

Wednesday

Results: Barratt Developments, Redrow, Boston Scientific, General Motors, New York Times, GoPro, Trivago. 
Indicators: Construction PMI (Jan); US GDP (Q4). 
Meetings: ECB non-monetary policy meeting; Workplace Summit (Croke Park Conference Centre, Jones Road, Dublin 3); Women Funding Women Dublin conference (The Academy, Pearse Street, Dublin 2).

Thursday

Results: DSV, Kellogg, New Corp, Expedia, Twitter. 
Indicators: UK house price index (Jan); German industrial production (Dec); UK Bank of England inflation report; US personal income and spending (Dec). 
Meetings: Bank of England interest rate decision; Small Firms Association Business Connect 2019 Conference (Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4); Dublin Chamber AGM Dinner featuring Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (InternContinental Hotel, Dublin 4).

Friday

Indicators: Irish new car sales (Jan); German imports and exports (Dec).