Hargreaves Lansdown sees SSE (LSE:SSE) Q1 trading statement, due next Thursday (16 July) as a near-term proof point for a company navigating mixed divisional performance, with equity analyst Aarin Chiekrie noting that the full-year results in May were broadly in line with market expectations.
SSE, the UK energy group, is seeing expanded renewable capacity and higher regulator-allowed revenues largely offset by declines in other business units, according to the stockbroker..
In the preview note, Chiekrie highlights that the prior year's figures benefited from a one-off inflation adjustment, which flatters the comparison and partly explains the profit decline.
Thursday's Q1 trading update will, meanwhile, arrive alongside SSE's AGM and, the stockbroker reckons it should give investors an early read on whether the accelerated £33bn five-year investment programme is tracking to plan.
