Pearson profit falters as US courseware business drags it down February 21, 2020 Education publisher Pearson posted underlying profit at the top end of a reduced guidance range for 2019 today, and warned its ongoing transition to digital will drag profits even lower in 2020. Pearson’s share price sank 4.4 per cent to 558.2p as traders digested the figures. The figures Operating profit halved to £275m in 2019, [...]
Government records smaller January budget surplus February 21, 2020 The government recorded a smaller than expected budget surplus of £9.8bn in January, ahead of its public spending announcements due in March. A Reuters poll of economists had predicted an £11.3bn surplus. And the £9.8bn figure was £2.1bn less than the Treasury recorded in January 2019 despite a rise in self-assessment tax receipts of £1.3bn. [...]
Escalating coronavirus cases drag down European stocks February 21, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell today as European stocks slipped into the red on news that coronavirus cases outside of mainland China are escalating. London’s blue-chip index dropped 0.63 per cent in early trading to leave the FTSE 100 at 7,390 points. European stocks also retreated into the red. Germany’s Dax dipped 0.2 per cent while [...]
Diamond Princess: Evacuation of UK passengers delayed February 21, 2020 The evacuation of Brits trapped aboard the coronavirus-struck Diamond Princess cruise ship has been pushed back by 24 hours. The British embassy has delayed the departure of a flight from today to tomorrow, saying it is “logistically complicated”. Around 70 British citziens have spent more than two weeks in quarantine on the Diamond Princess after [...]
Hornby eyes £15m raise for ‘solid foundation’ February 21, 2020 Model train maker Hornby is seeking to raise £15m today as it seeks a “solid foundation” to build on with brands like Airfix and Scalextric. It will do that by issuing almost 42m new shares at 36p each, with chief executive Lyndon Davies saying: “The strengthening of our balance sheet provides a solid foundation for [...]
UK retail sales jump 1.6 per cent in January after Tory election victory February 20, 2020 UK retail sales excluding fuel jumped the most in almost two years in January, official figures showed today. Retail sales rose excluding fuel 1.6 per cent compared to the month before as the new year got underway, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. And retail volumes rose 0.9 per cent to recover from falls [...]
Lloyds’ 2019 profit sinks after £2.45bn PPI charge February 20, 2020 Lloyds Banking Group revealed its 2019 profit sank 26 per cent today as it said it must pay out £2.45bn to settle payment protection insurance (PPI) claims. The figures Lloyds recorded profit before tax of £4.39bn, down 26 per cent on 2018, after the £2.45bn PPI charge. Underlying profit slipped seven per cent to £7.5bn [...]
Vegans must have their own shelf in the office fridge, says new guidance February 19, 2020 Vegans deserve their own shelf in the office fridge, according to new guidelines issued to businesses. Fridge space is a precious commodity in the workplace, but it could be about to get more crowded after the Vegan Society shares its new advice with firms. Vegan menus should be made available at work events while employers [...]
London house prices rebound with 2.3 per cent growth after election February 19, 2020 London house prices grew at their fastest rate in 15 months in December following Boris Johnson’s election win, official figures showed today, as UK house prices also rose. Homes in the capital enjoyed a 2.3 per cent rise to £484,000 after a 2019 full of falls, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The [...]
FTSE 100 climbs back after Apple’s coronavirus blow February 19, 2020 The FTSE 100 staged a recovery from yesterday’s two-week low today as traders welcomed a smaller increase in the number of new coronavirus cases. The number of Covid-19 cases rose to 75,000 today but China reported a second consecutive low number of new infections at 1,749. The death toll also climbed to 2,004 but the [...]
