The Motley Fool's Week Ahead: Pre-Budget Report and Tesco

Roll up, roll up, for the budget deficit sweepstake. Do I hear GBP200bn?

The Copenhagen climate change summit is likely to dominate the mainstream news next week.

Closer to home though, at 12:30pm on Wednesday 9th, there is the Pre-Budget Report to look forward to.

Back in April, the public sector deficit for 2009/10 was forecast to be a whopping GBP175bn (being GBP671bn of expenditure less GBP496bn in tax receipts).

However, as the economy has taken longer to recover than expected, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the shortfall revised to nearer GBP200bn.

Despite the gaping chasm in the public coffers, we may not see much in the way of immediate spending cuts or tax rises.

There is a general election just around the corner after all.

But we could get an indication of how the pain might be dished out over the next several years.

On Thursday, the Bank of England will announce its latest interest rate decision.

As has been the case for the previous several months, it's expected to be 'as you were'.

Notable results and updates w/c 7 December 2009: Mon: Nothing much doing.

Tue: Domino Printing Sciences, Game Group, Northgate, Southern Cross Healthcare, Tesco.

Wed: IG Group, Imagination Technologies, Micro Focus, Photo Me, PZ Cussons, Stagecoach, Standard Chartered.

Thu: MBL Group, Premier Farnell, Sports Direct, DS Smith.

Fri: HMV.

Stocking up for Christmas: A quartet of retailers is pencilled in for updates next week, with the highlight likely to be Tesco's (LSE: TSCO) third-quarter statement on Tuesday.

At the halfway stage, the supermarket said underlying profits were up by 9%.

The firm is continuing to expand rapidly, with 8m square feet of new space being added this year alone.

What's more, net debt is forecast to reduce to GBP8.5bn by the end of this financial year.

Although computer games continue to fly off the shelves, it's been a tough 2009 for Game Group (LSE: GMG).

The retailer is due to issue a trading update on Tuesday and will hope for an improvement on the 16% reduction in like-for-like sales posted during the first half.

The company, which trades under the GAME and Gamestation formats, now has annual revenues of around GBP2bn.

HMV (LSE: HMV) hasn't grown nearly as quickly as Game in recent years, but it has weathered the recession rather better.

The owner of Waterstones is set to release its half-year numbers on Friday.

Rounding off our quartet is Sports Direct (LSE: SPD).

Led by the colourful Mike Ashley, its interim results due on Thursday should show a continued reduction in debts plus a recovery on profits.

Getting technical: If you're a fan of tech stocks, there are a few to tickle your fancy next week.

The software firm Micro Focus (LSE: MCRO) recently said it expected half-year profits to be ahead of previous expectations, which is always nice to hear.

It also reported good progress integrating its latest acquisitions.

Further details will be available on Wednesday.

Domino Printing Sciences (LSE: DNO) is one of many shares on the Champion Shares PRO watch list, so we'll be checking out its latest trading statement on Tuesday.

Domino reckons 'aftermarket' sales have returned to levels seen before the financial crisis, although customers are still being cautious when it comes to spending on new equipment.

It's been a joyous year for shareholders in chip designer Imagination Technologies (LSE: IMG).

A darling of the market a decade or so ago, its share price has quadrupled this year.

Imagination is now valued in excess of GBP500m although last year's underlying profits were just GBP5m.

Wednesday's interim results will show us whether its recent revenue and profit growth has continued.

A mixed bag to finish: Standard Chartered (LSE: STAN) continues to show a clean pair of heels to domestic UK banks, thanks to its Asian focus.

Wednesday's pre-close update should see more of the same.

On the same day, spread better IG Group (LSE: IGG) will release a trading statement.

As it thrives on volatility, the flatish markets of the past few months may prove less profitable than the extreme post-Lehman fluctuations of last autumn.

IG's shares are up some 40% since June.

PZ Cussons (LSE: PZC) will also update its investors next Wednesday.

The maker of Imperial Leather has recently announced that Richard Harvey, formerly of Aviva (LSE: AV), will become its chairman next summer.

Finally, MBL Group (LSE: MUBL) has developed quite a following on our discussion boards.

Formerly Air Music and Media, it distributes DVDs, CDs and computer games.

Trading on a forward P/E of around 5, it has already signalled that sales are well ahead of last year, albeit at reduced margins.

It recently signed a deal to supply DVDs, Blu-Rays and CDs to Best Buy's UK stores, the first of which is due to open in the Spring.

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