Investors shed Kingfisher stocks as trading update a ‘clear disappointment’ November 25, 2024 After a strong run for much of the year, Kingfisher stocks have plummeted more than 13 per cent this morning as investors reacted to an underwhelming sales update. The top end of its previously-guided profit forecast of between £510m and £550m has been shaved to between £510m and £540n. While the estimate “does not represent [...]
CBI chief: Ministers must ‘co-design’ economic growth with businesses post-Budget November 25, 2024 Businesses should have a stronger voice in setting economic growth policies, the boss of an influential business lobby group has urged, including a shift from “consultation to co-design”. Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), told attendees at the group’s annual conference that the government and firms share a “vision of [...]
Very Group: Loss widens at Nadhim Zahawi-led Littlewoods owner November 25, 2024 The Very Group, which is chaired by former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, lost more in the first quarter of its new financial year than it did in its last 12 months, it has been revealed. The Liverpool-headquartered group, which is owned by the billionaire Barclay family, has reported a pre-tax loss of £22.9m for the 13 [...]
ITV shares jump as it emerges as a takeover target by private equity November 25, 2024 ITV has emerged as a possible takeover target by private equity giants including CVC Capital Partners amid an ongoing dip in its share price, according to reports. There are reportedly a variety of private equity bidders circling the UK’s largest terrestrial commercial broadcaster, Sky News revealed. These included CVC Capital Partners with a major European [...]
BDO becomes £1bn giant as partner profit recovers November 25, 2024 Revenue at BDO, the accountancy and business advisory giant, has surpassed £1bn for the first time in its 100-year history, it has been confirmed. The London-headquartered firm, which has offices across the country, said its “continuedprogramme of investment” helped revenue rise by 8.6 per cent to £1.02bn in the year to 5 July, 2024. The [...]
Bank of England’s Lombardelli supports ‘gradual’ interest rate cuts November 25, 2024 In her first speech as one of the Bank's deputy governors, Lombardelli said she supported a "gradual removal" of monetary policy restriction.
Storm Bert: Great Western Railway suspends London Paddington services November 25, 2024 Train services between London Paddington and both South West England and south Wales have been severely impacted by the effect of Storm Bert. Great Western Railway (GWR) has suspended services on ‘all key routes” due to flooding and fallen trees while other operators have cancelled services today while more than 180 flood warnings remain in [...]
Barclays fined over ‘reckless’ failure to disclose Qatar links November 25, 2024 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has hit Barclays with a £40m fine today for failing to disclose ties with certain Qatari investors as it scrambled to avert a government bailout during the financial crisis. In a statement today, the City watchdog said the FTSE 100 lender’s conduct through during a capital raise in 2008 was [...]
Alan Sugar’s property empire returns to profit after huge loss November 25, 2024 The Apprentice star Lord Alan Sugar’s property empire returned to the black during its latest financial year after recovering from a huge loss, it has been revealed. Amshold, the company which Lord Sugar holds his property investments, achieved a pre-tax profit of £932,000 for the 12 months to 30 June, 2024. The latest figure, revealed in [...]
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher: Weak trading in France and £45m tax hit cause shares to plummet November 25, 2024 Shares in Kingfisher, the parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, have dropped nearly 13 per cent after it tightened profit guidance due to weak trading in France and a higher tax bill in both France and the UK. Kingfisher expects the impact of changes to employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs) announced in the UK’s latest [...]