EXPECT Lord Wolfson to provide a typically grounded view amid the chaos when he presents first-half results for Next this week.

The Tory peer has developed a reputation for calm prognosis, which could prove handy amid freight woes, labour shortages and environmental concerns in the retail trade.

Strong online trading has pushed the fashion flogger’s shares to near alltime highs, and investors will be keen to assess the outlook for the dividend.

The City favourite has just paid out £140million to shareholders and a £100million payout is due in January, provided Christmas goes to plan.

Annual profits are expected to hit £750million, so the payouts should keep rolling off the shelves.