They said of the three, Hillsdown Holdings Plc, Devro Plc and United Biscuits, only UB, which reports on September 10, is expected to show a slight improvement in underlying profits.

"UB's figures will be steady but unspectacular," said Credit Lyonnais analyst Sally Jones. UB is forecast to turn in profits before tax and post exceptional items of 40 to ($64) 43 million pounds, compared with 40.3 million last time.

Brokers pre-tax profit forecasts for foods to housebuilding group Hillsdown Holdings Plc, due to report half-year figures on Tuesday, range from 51 million to 53 million pounds for the six months to end June, down from 55.3 million over the same 1997 period.

Analysts said the group is likely to suffer from the strength of sterling, which has swamped the market withcheaper chickens and turkeys from overseas.

Profits from the group's poultry division are likely to more than halve from 13 million to about five million pounds. But the figure will be of less importance as the company has announced plans in May to split itself into three from October and sell its furniture and poultry divisions.

The company is to demerge its chilled foods and Fairview New Homes businesses and turn itself into a focused grocery foods group.

Sausage skin maker Devro, due to report on Wednesday, warned in July that its half-year profits would be two million pounds below last year's level of 25.6 million pounds.

The group blamed economic problems in Asia and eastern Europe as well as weaker demand for sausages in Britain and the strength of sterling.

For United Biscuits, the group's food processing division will feel the pinch from a the high price and shortage of cod for its frozen food products.

But generally, analysts said the non-foods side of Hillsdown and the biscuits divisionof UB are set to show solid performances.

Hillsdown shares were up a penny at 142 pence in early business on Friday, while United Biscuits was quoted at 197-1/2, up 1-1/2P and Devro was unchanged at 252-1/2P.