Neil Woodford points finger at ‘unfavourable’ markets for fund woes September 1, 2019 Neil Woodford defended his under-fire investment strategy over the weekend, citing “unfavourable” conditions and a momentum-driven market for the recent failures within his flagship fund. The former star stockpicker pointed the finger at “a narrow fixation on businesses that are seen as beneficiaries of a reflationary global growth scenario” for the underperformance of his own [...]
Debenhams lines up Deloitte as retailer takes on legal challenge to restructuring plan September 1, 2019 Debenhams has lined up advisers from professional services giant Deloitte as it prepares to fight a legal challenge to its restructuring plan. Deloitte is on standby in case Debenhams loses the case and fails to secure an appeal, an event that could tip the embattled department store into administration. Read more: Debenhams appoints restructuring expect [...]
Marks & Spencer tipped to drop out of FTSE 100 amid high street troubles September 1, 2019 Marks & Spencer is poised to drop out of the FTSE 100 later this week in a market reshuffle that sheds light on the troubled retailer’s tumbling share price. One of 28 original constituents still in the FTSE 100, M&S is expected to be relegated to the FTSE 250 on Tuesday following a sharp drop [...]
Cadbury ‘Unity’ bar celebrating diversity divides opinion August 30, 2019 Cadbury’s new “Unity” chocolate bar has divided opinion after being released in celebration of Indian Independence Day. The bar contains four different types of chocolate: dark, blended, milk and white. Cadbury said the aim was to champion the unity of “people of different castes, creed, languages, regions and religions”. Read more: Hotel Chocolat credits relentless innovation [...]
Shoe Zone share price collapses as CEO quits amid sales target miss August 30, 2019 Investors trod all over Shoe Zone today after warned them it would miss full year sales targets and its chief executive officer, Nick Davis, quit with immediate effect. Aim-listed Shoe Zone’s share price plunged 37.8 per cent in early trading to leave shares languishing at 119.5p, down from yesterday’s close at 192p. Read more: Falling [...]
Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods appoints new CEO and chairman August 30, 2019 Premier Foods has appointed a Reckitt Benckiser veteran as its new chairman and promoted its UK managing director to the role of CEO. The Mr Kipling maker welcomes ex-Reckitt chief financial officer Colin Day as chairman, while UK MD Alex Whitehouse takes the helm at the British giant. Read more: Premier Foods eyes up ex-Reckitt [...]
UK consumer confidence staggers in face of no-deal Brexit August 30, 2019 Consumer confidence in personal financial situations slumped in August, driven by the increasing uncertainty caused by Brexit. A measure recording changes in personal finances during the last 12 months fell by two points this month to -1, a decline of five points compared to August last year. Read more: UK consumer confidence slumps in June [...]
Dixons Carphone faces investor backlash over CEO share award August 29, 2019 Electrical goods retailer Dixons Carphone is facing an investor backlash over a share award handed to its chief executive despite a fall in the company’s share price. An estimated 15 per cent of the company’s investors are expected to oppose the remuneration report following a recommendation from shareholder adviser Institutional Shareholder Services, Sky News reported. [...]
PZ Cussons offloads brands to focus on core products August 29, 2019 Consumer goods giant PZ Cussons will offload two brands as part of a strategic shift to focus on its core product range. PZ Cussons, the owner of brands such as Carex and Imperial Leather, has sold its Greek olive oil subsidiary Minerva to Mirties Enterprises Company, a firm controlled by Luxembourg investment company Diorama Investments, [...]
Opposition to Mike Ashley builds ahead of Sports Direct meeting August 29, 2019 A third proxy adviser has today recommended shareholders attempt to oust Mike Ashley at the upcoming Sports Direct annual meeting due to concerns about a string of controversies at the FTSE 250 retailer. Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has joined advisory firms Glass Lewis and Pirc to recommend that investors vote against Ashley’s re-election as a [...]