Shell’s kitchen: Jamie Oliver launches deli range at petrol stations across the UK January 15, 2019 TV chef Jamie Oliver has defended his partnership with Shell as he prepares to launch a new deli range across the oil giant’s service stations. The restaurateur and UN environmental champion said the deal will help him bring healthier food-to-go to more people, despite criticism from groups such as Greenpeace. Read more: Restaurant profits plummet [...]
Lender Provident Financial shares tumble on profit warning January 15, 2019 Provident Financial’s share price plunged more than 20 per cent in early morning trading after the sub-prime lender issued a profit warning. The FTSE 250 firm led the market fallers today after saying that it expects earnings for 2018 to be at the lower end of expectations, blaming modestly higher payment arrangements at its credit [...]
Gym Group shares down on increased debt predictions after year of site openings January 15, 2019 Gym Group shares were down five per cent this morning as it announced increased net debt in a trading update, despite growing profits and revenues. The listed fitness chain said it expected year-end debt to be £46m, up 22.6 per cent year-on-year from £37.5m, after the £20.6m acquisition of Easy Gym and investment in 17 [...]
Big Yellow quarterly revenue grows amid ‘aggressive’ expansion plan January 15, 2019 Big Yellow saw its revenues rise in the third quarter as it ploughs ahead with its plan to open a raft of new sites. The self-storage company said revenue for the three months to the end of December was up 7.1 per cent on the same period last year to £31.5m. Its closing occupancy was [...]
Dignity rises as profits beat expectations despite tough year January 15, 2019 Dignity’s problems are not terminal it seems as the company beat market expectations to rake in a £79m profit. The group rose 2.1 per cent as the markets opened this morning, bringing it to 735p, but well below its 1,880p price on this day last year. Read more: Dignity shares slide after regulator proposes funeral competition [...]
Hays reports strong quarterly growth as Germany boost outweighs Brexit slowdown January 15, 2019 Recruitment firm Hays delivered strong growth in the second quarter as rising fees in Germany outweighed the impact of Brexit uncertainty. The company said like-for-like net fees rose nine per cent in the three months to the end of December, with equal growth across temporary and permanent roles. Read more: Smaller companies forced to compete for [...]
Games Workshop enjoys record year as business remains ‘in great shape’ January 15, 2019 Miniature wargaming manufacturer Games Workshop struck a positive tone this morning after posting record sales, despite a slowdown in growth during the half-year to December. The figures Sales in the six months to 2 December 2018 hit £125m, rising from £110m during the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, operating and pre-tax profits rose from £38.1m [...]
Budget airline Flybe shares nosedive despite revised bid from Virgin-led consortium January 15, 2019 Flybe shares nosedived again this morning as shareholders reacted to news they will not get a vote on a revised bid for the business from a Virgin-led consortium. Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and US private equity firm Cyrus Capital tabled a £2.8m bid for Flybe Limited and Flybe.com today after Friday’s £2.2m offer for the whole [...]
Constructor Watkin Jones builds on solid year to post record profits January 15, 2019 Accomodation construction firm Watkin Jones’ share price rose this morning after it posted record profits profits and a 24-site pipeline of projects over the next three years. In its full-year results, the AIM listed company said director of the board Mark Watkin Jones was stepping down today, having been replaced as chief executive on 2 [...]
DEBATE: If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? January 15, 2019 If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, says YES. Brexit has become a national embarrassment. In the last few weeks, the Conservative government has lost control in parliament, and the Labour frontbench – supposedly the official [...]