Cigarette-maker Imperial Tobacco will be in the spotlight this week, while investors are expecting news on British Airways, Tate & Lyle, Smith & Nephew, ICI and Unilever.

Lambert & Butler owner Imperial Tobacco this week reports back on what is expected to be another period of solid growth for the Bristol-based cigarette maker.

The company said in September it had boosted its market share in the UK and benefited from price increases introduced earlier this year. Imperial has also increased sales in eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Chemical maker ICI reports results on Thursday, which are expected to show growth despite a slowing US housing market threatening its paints arm.

It also said there had been strong results from National Starch - which produces ingredients used in the likes of shampoo, headlights and nappies - and food flavour business Quest.

Tate & Lyle - which reports first-half results on Wednesday - put its European starch business up for sale earlier this week following a fall in the price of sugar.

Medical device maker Smith & Nephew is "primed for growth", according to analysts.

The company reports third-quarter results on Thursday and is expected to show continued improvement with foundations for a strong year end.

British Airways will be back in the spotlight this week as it updates the market on its performance during the second quarter. The question on everyone's lips will be how well has the airline recovered since the summer's security alerts at Heathrow Airport?

Consumer goods giant Unilever enlightens the market on third-quarter results on Thursday, but it has already warned of tough trading conditions in Europe.

In August, the Anglo-Dutch firm, which makes Dove Soap, Hellmann's mayonnaise and Birds Eye fish fingers, posted first-half pre-tax profits of 2.66bn euros (£1.81bn) following a strong performance in India and China.

Companies reporting results next week include:

Monday

Finals: Connaught, Lok'nStore

Interims: Chloride

Tuesday

Finals: Accuma, Imperial Tobacco, DCD Media, Egdon Resources

Interims: ARM Holdings, Alterian, Tomkins, UMECO

Trading update: RHM

Wednesday

Finals: Chrysalis

Interims: ITIS Holdings, Tate & Lyle

Trading update: St James's Place

Thursday

Finals: Armour

Interims: Carphone Warehouse, ICI, Smith & Nephew, Unilever, Maelor

Trading update: JD Wetherspoon

Friday

Interims: British Airways, BSkyB, Millennium & Copthorne, Trinity Capital, CryptoLogi