“Challenging”: the word permeates companies’ outlook for the future like the message running through a half-eaten, sand-covered stick of Blackpool rock discarded by a tearful toddler. Trading conditions over the next few months will continue to be testing. Possibly not as testing as the past six, or the six before that, but still, for most companies, tough, unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

If nothing else, “Super” Thursday’s despatches from corporate Britain – more than 70 results statements from Arriva to UTV – should answer some of the pressing questions about what boards expect from the UK and world economy in the coming months. Lombard consulted the corporate crystal balls for predictions and prognoses.