Geneva watch fair cancelled on coronavirus concerns February 27, 2020 A major watch convention in Geneva was cancelled today due to worries over the spread of the coronavirus. Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, organiser of the Watches & Wonders gathering, today announced the cancellation of the event which was due to be held from 25-29 April. “In order to protect the health and wellbeing of [...]
Amigo shares fall as impairment charges hit profit February 27, 2020 Shares in Amigo fell more than nine per cent this morning after the lender reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profit and withdrew its guidance for the full year. The figures Net loan book rose 3.8 per cent year on year to £722.3m in the nine months to the end of December. Revenue grew 8.5 [...]
Rentokil extends buying spree after record revenue growth February 27, 2020 Rentokil posted its highest level of revenue growth in fifteen years in 2019 as the pest control service continued its expansion around the world. The figures The Camberley-based ratcatchers posted full year organic revenue growth of 4.5 per cent, reaching £2.7bn in 2019. Profit before tax recorded double-digit growth, increasing to £340.9m, up 10.7 per [...]
Shares in aviation services company John Menzies slip on coronavirus profit warning February 27, 2020 Shares in aviation services company John Menzies fell more than six per cent this morning after it warned of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its business. “The outbreak and continued spread of Covid-19 [coronavirus] is having a direct impact on the operations of the group,” it told the stock exchange in a trading [...]
British American Tobacco boosts revenue to £25.8bn February 27, 2020 British American Tobacco today said its revenue rose nearly six per cent to £25.8bn last year. The tobacco giant reported adjusted diluted earnings per share of 323.8p, which was ahead of expectations and represented growth of 8.4 per cent at constant currency. Reported earnings per share was 12 per cent below Bloomberg’s consensus after a [...]
Aston Martin finance chief quits as firm falls to £100m loss February 27, 2020 Aston Martin fell to a loss of over £100m today as the luxury carmaker announced it would use 2020 to “reset” the business in order to compete in the supercar market. The firm said that the release of the new DBX and Valkyrie models, which are scheduled for the summer, would be critical to fulfilling [...]
RSA beats expectations on record year for underwriting profit February 27, 2020 RSA posted a record year for underwriting profit as the insurance giant beat analyst expectations for 2019 after restructuring its international business. The figures The British firm posted an operating profit of £656m, up from £517m in 2018 and ahead of forecasts of £644m. A record year for underwriting profit was the main driver of [...]
Topps Tiles shares plunge on half-year profit warning February 27, 2020 Topps Tiles issued a warning today that first half profit will fall “materially” below market expectations due to Brits dodging home improvement and a 2019 full of Brexit uncertainty. Shares plunged 25 per cent in early trading, after investors had expected a profit in the range of £13.5m to £14.5m. The home improvement retailer said [...]
Paddy Power owner Flutter’s profit falls on UK tax blow February 27, 2020 Betfair and Paddy Power owner Flutter posted tumbling 2019 profit today as UK gaming taxes and the firm’s increased investment in the US both took their toll. The figures Profit before tax plunged 38 per cent year on year to £136m despite a 14 per cent hike in revenue to £2.14bn. Earnings per share also [...]
National Express hails record year as firm posts £240m profit February 27, 2020 Coach operator National Express today said it had “beaten [its] expectations” as the firm announced a record year for revenue and profit in 2019. The figures Profit before tax rose 9.1 per cent over the year, from £220m in 2018 to £240m last year, as the firm reported growth in every one of its divisions. [...]