UK Budget to drop on busy corporate Wednesday with results from Prudential,

The long-awaited Budget day has come, so the UK will get a clearer idea on how the government plans to usher the economy out of the pandemic.

It’s a dilemma for Rishi Sunak, who is hamstrung by PM Boris Johnson’s promises in the election of 2019 not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT.

READ: What businesses want from Wednesday’s Budget

However, it is understood he’s looking to hike corporation tax from 19p in the pound to 25p over the course of the parliament, though it would not breach the Tory manifesto pledge.

An increase to 22p alone would add £10bn to the government’s pockets, while Berenberg said a 1-2% hike would not have any major negative economic consequences.

Housebuilders are expected to be among the winners as the Chancellor is looking to encourage first-home buyers, while the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will benefit from the extension of business rates holiday and the temporary VAT cut, among other measures to push people to spend their disposable income.

Government news aside, it will be a busy day for corporate news, with the UK services PMI also on the schedule.

Housebuilders still on the spot

The sector will remain on the news all week as PLC () is releasing its finals a day after PLC’s ().

Its competitor said on Tuesday it set aside £125mln to cover fire safety repairs to apartment blocks, in the wake of new recommendations following the Grenfell Tower inquiry, so investors may be expecting a similar move from .

Shares may also be lifted by budget news on the revamped Help to Buy scheme and the Stamp Duty Holiday extension, which buoyed purchases during the pandemic.

Looking at present trading, sales rate be normalising by now after the second half of the year benefited from pent-up demand.

has also already disclosed revenue and year-end net cash of £3.1bn and £1.2bn respectively, with management indicating profit before tax could come in at £850mln. UBS sees potential for a 235p dividend.

Prudential to update on demerger plans

() is due to report results, where the market will seek updates on the spinoff of US business Jackson into a separately listed company.

Having already divested its UK business, the demerger was confirmed in January to “significantly accelerate” the focus on growth in Asia and Africa.

The insurer also said it was mulling over a capital raise of US$2.5bn-3bn to support business ventures in Asia, so investors will be keen to hear more on that.

DS Smith unpacks trading update

Packaging group () will deliver a trading update, with most investors likely to focus on the company’s pricing as the re-emergence of lockdown could ha reapplied pressure following an improvement in trends in its second quarter.

Pricing pressure could in turn weigh on revenues, making the outlook statement the most important factor as well as any update son the firm’s…