BT ramps up broadband target as pre-tax profit drops 23 per cent May 13, 2021 BT today said it would extend its full-fibre broadband network to 25m premises by the end of 2026. The provider aims to fund the 5m additional homes and businesses through a joint venture with other parties. It is thought the move, which could cost up to £50bn, will lead to as many as 7,000 new [...]
UK’s 12-week vaccine delay could have saved lives, study says May 13, 2021 The UK’s 12-week delay between first and second vaccine doses could have saved more lives, according to a US study published in the British Medical Journal, suggesting other countries strapped for jabs could adopt the strategy. The second shots of the Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are designed to be given three to four weeks [...]
Rolls-Royce sticks to guidance as wait for travel restart continues May 13, 2021 Engineer Rolls-Royce this morning maintained that it would return to positive free cash flow in the second half of 2021 as vaccinations kick in and travellers return to the skies. In a trading update this morning, the blue-chip stock said that its performance so far this year to had been in line with expectations. It comes [...]
3i Group posts surge in investor returns for full year to £1.7bn May 13, 2021 3i Group posts surge in investor returns for full year to £1.7bn
Investment manager Brewin Dolphin posts record quarterly inflows of £1bn May 13, 2021 UK investment manager Brewin Dolphin toasted record fund inflows of £1bn in the first three months of 2021. The firm said it beat its own record for total discretionary fund inflows in the second quarter, which helped to boost its total funds by 10.5 per cent to £52.6bn in the six months ended 31 March. [...]
Boohoo’s profits surged during the pandemic – do the fast fashion giants really need social responsibility? May 13, 2021 Last week, Boohoo reported a surge in profits despite damaging revelations about its supply chain and poor treatment of workers. As the world of retail pivots towards social responsibility, the bumper results could be seen as consumers rejecting the importance of brands’ embracing purpose. While Boohoo was able to reap in revenue, it is still [...]
Shakespeare: Wrigley offers some much-needed optimism May 13, 2021 The end of the COVID-19 lockdown is in sight, and brands are taking advantage of the shift in the public’s mood in their marketing. ITV are going as far as to predict a summertime advertising boom – powered by the return of Love Island and the European Championships. While restrictions are set to end in [...]
Kier looks to raise £241m from share placing May 13, 2021 Construction firm Kier today said that it would seek to raise £241m from the placing of 280m new shares in the FTSE 250 company. Priced at 85p per share, the raise will allow the infrastructure group to strengthen its balance sheet and refinance its existing borrowing facilities. Along with the sale of Kier Living, the [...]
UK housebuilder Countryside’s sales soar as property market booms May 13, 2021 UK housebuilder Countryside reported soaring sales and profit in the first half of the year as the housing market boomed following the lifting of Covid restrictions. The property developer said adjusted revenue was up 42 per cent in the six months ended 31 March, reaching £755m compared to £530.9m in the previous year. Adjusted operating [...]
Champions League-chasing Chelsea – and women’s football more generally – on the cusp of something extraordinary May 13, 2021 As the strangest football season on record hurtles to a climax, blue is most certainly the colour. While the sky blues of Manchester City contemplate a treble almost on par with their neighbours’ efforts in 1999, Chelsea can claim a double of their own if they beat City in the Champions League final and defeat [...]
