Tomorrow's housing figures from the Nationwide Building Society are likely to attract much attention in a quiet week for economic data.

The figures are widely expected to show residential property prices fell for the seventh consecutive month. However, the financial markets will take this news in good stride providing the figures are in line with expectations.

Meanwhile, equity markets reopened in positive mood yesterday as mobile phone giant Vodafone announced it rang up net profits of £6.6 billion last year.

Newbury-based Vodafone is the world's leading mobile telephone operator by sales. The company has interests in 30 countries and boasts 252 million subscribers around the globe.

In theory a mobile phone is a luxury. In practise many users, particularly the young, view their mobile as a necessity. This is my personal theory and one that may well be tested this year given the economic rain clouds on the horizon.

Established markets such as the UK and continental Europe reached saturation point (most of the population now own a mobile) several years ago. These markets are more about producing reoccurring income rather than new sales.

Like many industries, the mobile phone operators have turned their attention to the emerging markets to generate new sales. Vodafone has been particularly successful in India and Turkey.

Back in the UK, if you are a shareholder and a customer of Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) you may find you have mixed feelings tomorrow. The UK's second-largest domestic energy supplier is due to announce full year results that may also be accompanied by news of yet another hike in gas and electricity bills. The company increased prices by more than 14 per cent in March in response to similar rises from rival suppliers over the previous two months. The energy suppliers themselves are facing soaring prices in the wholesale energy markets. Earlier this month British Gas owner Centrica said wholesale costs had doubled over the past year and warned it would take necessary action' (higher bills to you and I) to protect profit levels.

SSE has found balancing the interests of shareholders and customers can be difficult. The company is facing a probe into domestic pricing and other practices in the generation sector by industry regulator Ofgem.

Finally, waste management group Shanks is also expected to announce a good set of annual results tomorrow. The company's core business is the collection, disposal and recycling of waste from customers ranging from domestic homes to large businesses and local authorities. As the saying goes - where there's muck there's money.

David Evans, Brewin Dolphin, Hamilton House, 6 Nantillo St, Poundbury. 0845 213 1280. www.brewindolphin.co.uk