Top FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 shares to watch: Abrdn, IAG, Ocado and more

The FTSE 100 and FTSE 100 indices had an extremely busy week as companies like Rolls-Royce, Barclays, Standard Chartered, and HSBC published their financial results. Despite these key events, the two indices continued to underperform their American peers as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices surged to a record high after the Nvidia earnings.

Taylor Wimpey earnings ahead

Next week will be less busy for these indices since there will be no major economic releases from the UK and the United States. The earnings calendar will also be quite muted since their biggest constituents have already published their financial results.

The most important FTSE 100 company that will publish its results will be Taylor Wimpey, one of the biggest homebuilders in the UK. The company is benefiting from a vibrant housing market that has defied the ongoing high-interest rate environment.

Recent data shows that home prices in the UK have jumped sharply in the past few months as mortgage rates eased. This explains why the Taylor Wimpey share price has jumped by over 53% from its lowest point in 2023. The stock has barely moved in the past few months though.

Abrdn and St James Place earnings

Abrdn will be another important FTSE 250 stock to watch as it publishes its financial results. Abrdn, formerly known as Standard Life Aberdeen, has not done well and is one of the most shorted UK companies. Its stock has tumbled by almost 30% from its highest point in July last year.

The company’s results will provide more colour about its performance, fees, and inflows. In January, the company said that it had over 12 billion pounds in outflows and announced 500 job cuts. Therefore, it is unlikely that its results will have major implications since the bad news is expected.

In line with this theme, St James Place, the biggest UK wealth manager, will release its results on Wednesday. The company has struggled substantially as its outflows coincided with a cut in fees. Its stock has crashed by almost 50% from its highest point in 2023.

Aston Martin Lagonda will be another FTSE 250 company to watch next week as it is set to publish its financial results. As I wrote here, the company has come under pressure as it goes through a cash crunch and a heavy debt burden.

The other top FTSE 100 and FTSE 100 shares to watch will be Bunzl, Reckitt Benckiser, London Stock Exchange, Haleon, Man Group, Ocado, Schroders, IAG, and Just Eat Takeaway.