HomeServe fixes up profit of £26.2m for 2015 half year results as customer numbers continue to rise November 17, 2015 HomeServe this morning revealed adjusted profit before tax of £26.2m for the six months ended 30 September 2015, up less than one per cent from £26m for the same period last year. However, adjusted profit before tax on a constant currency basis would have been £28m, an increase of eight per cent. Net debt for [...]
Lidl becomes official supermarket of the England football team November 17, 2015 England's football team will be indulging in Lidl's selection of discount goods after the supermarket signed a three year deal to become its official food supplier. It will also supply fruit and veg to the Scottish and Welsh national teams. Lidl will also become a backer of the FA's grassroots football initiatives which aim to give professional coaching [...]
EU Volkswagen registrations decline in October as emissions cheating scandal starts to take its toll November 17, 2015 The number of Volkswagens rolling onto Europe’s roads declined in October, a sign that the continent's most popular car brand was losing favour in the wake of the emissions cheating scandal. New Volkswagen registrations across the EU reached 136,345 in October, down 0.2 per cent on the same month last year, according to figures released this [...]
FTSE 100 index opens higher, led by British Land and Smiths Group, despite further losses by Easyjet November 17, 2015 The FTSE 100 opened higher this morning, following rallies in both the US and Asia. The UK's top blue-chip index was 1.16 per cent up at 6,217 points as the market opened. British Land's share price rose 1.89 per cent to 835.5p, after the company reported higher than expected growth in the value of its assets. Underlying pre-tax profit was also [...]
Entertainment One share price rises, bringing home the bacon as profits fly with Peppa Pig plans November 17, 2015 The figures Pre-tax profit at Entertainment One (eOne) shot up 654 per cent to £18.1m in the six months to September, or a more reserved 42 per cent to £39.9m on an adjusted basis. Revenue rose two per cent to £337.1m. [stockChart code="ETO" date="2015-11-17 09:06"] Why it's interesting eOne bought a majority stake in the [...]
Paddy Power’s share price rises as it reports strong underlying growth during “unfavourable” period for sector November 17, 2015 Following a positive first half performance, Paddy Power reported strong underlying growth for the three months to mid-November. Paddy Power's share price rose 1.2 per cent in mid-morning trading on the news. The figures Total net revenue rose nine per cent between 1 July and 15 November. Online sports betting stakes rise 23 per cent, while online total net revenue grew [...]
Cable & Wireless chief Phil Bentley on Liberty Global takeover: “This is an offer that doesn’t come along every day” November 16, 2015 Cable & Wireless chief exec Phil Bentley said the deal with Liberty Global would boost growth helped by the sheer scale of Liberty Global’s business. “We’re a $2.5bn business, and Liberty Global are an $18bn business,” Bentley said to City A.M. shortly after announcing that his company had agreed to Liberty’s £3.5bn takeover offer after [...]
FTSE 100 ends higher despite being weighed by tourism stocks after Paris attacks November 16, 2015 The FTSE 100 has rebounded to be trading flat in mid-afternoon trade, after it opened lower this morning, led higher by mining stocks despite tourism stocks including airlines and hotels falling in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris on Friday night. The UK's top blue-chip index was up 0.5 per cent to 6,146.38 points at the close. International Consolidated Airlines [...]
Liberty Global to buy Cable & Wireless in £3.5bn deal November 16, 2015 John Malone's Liberty Global is taking over Cable & Wireless Communications, as the telco firms announced today they’d reached an agreement on a $5.3bn (£3.5bn) deal which will strengthen Liberty Global’s position in the Caribbean. The agreement follows on weeks of negotiation talks between the companies. Liberty Global’s intentions were made public on 22 October, [...]
Property firm Knight Frank launches Tech team to target London’s booming digital sector November 16, 2015 Knight Frank has created a Tech team to tap into growing demand from digital firms looking for office space in the capital. The property advisory company said it has poached industry veteran James Nicholson from rival firm JLL to lead a new central London Tech and Creative team and build the company’s profile in the [...]