AMP is set to announce its results on Wednesday, with shareholders expecting a first-half loss of more than $2 billion on top of the group’s $2.6 billion writedowns and restructuring costs.

The big questions that Chairman Peter Willcox and CEO Andrew Mohl will have to answer is exactly how low the interim dividend will be – analysts are predicting it will be as low as 9 cents compared with last year’s 26 cents a share; how the $10 billion demerger with the failed UK assets will be handled; and whether another capital-raising will be necessary.

On a brighter note, IAG will announce its full-year results this week and QBE its half-year returns. Expect figures well in excess of last year. General insurance is no longer regarded as the poor section of the financial services sector – at least, not right now. Analysts say QBE will double its $115 million result for the first half of last year, and IAG’s annual return is expected to show a solid bounce back from its equities-powered $25 million loss last year.