Number of UK firms in ‘significant distress’ rises July 30, 2019 The number of UK businesses facing “significant distress” has increased as consumer spending slumps due to ongoing uncertainty. In total, 14 per cent of all UK businesses – 484,000 – said they were experiencing significant distress at the end of June, with the leisure and retail industries hit the hardest. Read more: Consumer spending to [...]
ITV profits stumble as broadcaster bets on Britbox for future July 24, 2019 ITV’s share price rose this morning despite seeing profits fall 16 per cent in the first half of 2019, as the broadcaster beat downbeat expectations in an “uncertain” political and economic backdrop. Read more: BBC and ITV reveal pricing for new streaming service Britbox The figures ITV’s profit before tax dropped 16 per cent year [...]
London law firm Mishcon de Reya to explore IPO option July 20, 2019 London law firm Mishcon de Reya has begun preparations for a flotation or stake sale valuing the firm at several hundred million pounds, according to Sky News. Mishcon is looking to hire bankers in the coming months to explore its options, although any formal decisions about raising capital are yet to be made. Read more: [...]
Begbies Traynor revenues pass £60m for first time as insolvencies rise July 9, 2019 Begbies Traynor shares rose three per cent this morning as it announced revenues passed the £60m milestone for the first time last year. The corporate restructuring specialist enjoyed rising pre-tax profit, amid a year in which it made four acquisitions. The firm benefited from an increase in insolvencies across the UK. Read more: UK company [...]
Purplebricks quits US market as losses almost double July 3, 2019 Online estate agent Purplebricks today confirmed it is pulling out of the US, just two years after launch. The figures Revenue at the company grew 55 per cent over the year to £136.5m in the year ending 30 April. Loss before tax shot up to £56m, from £29.2m. Read more: Purplebricks beaten black and blue [...]
Stagecoach profits rise despite UK rail franchise loss June 26, 2019 Stagecoach has ruled out future bids for UK rail franchises today once its current operations finish in November. The transport giant also revealed higher profits for the year to the end of April despite its train business facing an uncertain future. The figures Stagecoach’s profit before tax rose 23 per cent year on year to [...]
Thomas Cook shares crash 40 per cent after Citigroup urges shareholders to sell May 17, 2019 Thomas Cook’s shares collapsed for the second day running today after a broker downgraded the struggling company the day after it revealed a £1.45bn loss. Read more: Thomas Cook shares crash as it suffers 'grim' £1.45bn loss The embattled travel agent’s share price plummeted 40 per cent to new lows of 11.8p this afternoon after issuing [...]
Burberry shares fall as transformation plan takes toll on growth May 16, 2019 Shares in Burberry fell 4.5 per cent this morning after the firm posted broadly flat revenue and profit in the first year of its major transformation plan. Read more: Burberry keeps momentum from China despite trade war fears The figures Revenue remained broadly flat at £2.72bn for the year to the end of March. Pre-tax profit [...]
Dark clouds gather as one-sixth of British businesses struggle financially April 29, 2019 Nearly a sixth of British businesses are in financial trouble, amid concerns the UK could suffer a wide-ranging economic slowdown in the coming months, according to research. Read more: Natwest increases small business loan programme amid Brexit uncertainty A report by a leading insolvency firm has revealed there are 484,000 UK firms in “significant financial [...]
Tesco doubles dividend as profits surge 30 per cent after turnaround success April 10, 2019 Tesco boosted profits by almost 30 per cent in 2018 as it beat expectations, leading the supermarket to almost double its dividend as its chief executive revealed the supermarket has met the “vast majority” of its turnaround goals since its 2014 accounting scandal. The figures Pre-tax profits rose 28.8 per cent year on year to [...]