Halfords suspends dividend after forecasting a 25 per cent drop in sales March 25, 2020 Halfords has suspended its dividend to shore up its balance sheet after forecasting a 25 per cent drop in sales amid the coronavirus outbreak. The retailer anticipates a sharp drop in sales, of around £300m, following the government’s tightening of restrictions, but shares soared 56 per cent in morning trading before trading up 22.63 per [...]
Government under pressure to suspend non-essential construction work March 25, 2020 The government is facing growing pressure to halt non-essential construction work as it tries to grapple with the coronavirus outbreak. In a Downing Street briefing on Tuesday, health secretary Matt Hancock said construction workers could and should continue to work so long as they are two metres apart. “The judgment we have made is that [...]
888 Holdings shares soar as punters move to online gambling March 24, 2020 Shares in online gambling firm 888 Holdings jumped more than 30 per cent after it said average daily revenue in 2019 was up 18 per cent. 888 said there had been evidence of increased customer activity in the group’s casino and poker products amid the coronavirus outbreak, which may compensate for the sports betting disruption. [...]
Waterfall secures extension to consider PSSL takeover bid March 24, 2020 Waterfall Asset Management has secured an extension to consider its proposed takeover of Pollen Street Secured Lending (PSSL). PSSL’s board sought approval for an extension from the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers after Waterfall was supposed to have made a decision on whether to make an offer by today. The asset manager will now have [...]
Redrow scraps interim dividend as coronavirus restrictions tighten March 24, 2020 Housebuilder Redrow is cancelling its interim dividend, anticipating a sharp drop in sales as the government tightens restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak. The FTSE 250 company said it is cancelling its 10.5p interim dividend, amounting to £37m, which was due to be paid next month. Shares in Redrow are up five per cent. Redrow said: [...]
Coronavirus: Taylor Wimpey cancels dividend and draws down £550m March 24, 2020 Taylor Wimpey has cancelled its dividends for the year and drawn down £550m in credit facilities to protect its balance sheet against the impact of Covid-19. The housebuilder said it had felt the effect of government shutdowns in its UK and Spanish businesses over the past few days. Taylor Wimpey said it had put contingency [...]
Waitrose and Lidl impose stricter coronavirus measures in supermarkets March 24, 2020 Supermarkets are ramping up measures to protect staff and customers amid the coronavirus outbreak as the UK heads into lockdown. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all “non-essential” shops to close, leaving just supermarkets and pharmacies among those still open. Supermarkets have struggled to keep shelves replenished as Brits stockpiled goods amid the outbreak, [...]
Ocean Outdoor in talks with lenders as Covid-19 restrictions intensify March 24, 2020 Digital advertising firm Ocean Outdoor is in talks with lenders as the impact of social distancing measures amid the coronavirus outbreak shrinks demand for advertising. The group said it had taken a series of steps to protect staff and shield business “from a rapid deterioration in media and advertising spend” during the coronavirus outbreak. The [...]
Mulberry warns it will swing to a loss as coronavirus hits handbags March 24, 2020 Luxury fashion brand Mulberry has become the latest brand to warn on the impact of the coronavirus on trading, as it anticipates losses in the second half of the year. The brand said it would suspend payouts to shareholders as recent trading in its stores, particularly in the UK, had been severely impacted by the [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: Sports Direct asks if staff count as key workers March 24, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will now remain closed unless the government gives them permission to stay open during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Bosses earlier claimed the stores are vital to the health of the nation, giving staff so-called key worker status. Under new measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last [...]
