Carnegie Private Banking's head of equities Karl Hedberg lists three companies to buy and three to sell ahead of what he expects to be an undramatic reporting period.

"My main scenario is that the reporting period will be quite similar to the one we had for the third quarter. That is, revenues will come in in line with expectations while profits will surprise on the more positive side," Hedberg told Dagens industri.

The three stocks he thinks should be picked up are engineering giants Atlas Copco and Sandvik, and live casino developer Evolution.

Expectations of an improved investment cycle in the semiconductor industry speak in favor of Atlas Copco, while low expectations for Sandvik mean that the company can surprise positively, Hedberg says.

Evolution, which has fallen about 30 percent in a year, now has a one-year upside of 75 percent, according to Hedberg.

"I don't think the weak share price performance is driven by a deterioration in the underlying business. There are other issues that have weighed on the share. A relief movement in connection with the report would not be unreasonable," says Karl Hedberg.

The stocks that get a sell recommendation are ABB ("difficult to surprise in the positive direction"), Lagercrantz ("valuation stands out and risk of some disappointment in the report") and Telia because there is not much that can trigger the price, according to Hedberg.