William Hill is on track due to World Cup August 26, 2010 Britain’s biggest bookmaker William Hill said it was on track to meet full-year expectations after reporting a one per cent rise in first half earnings. Reflecting industry trends, the firm benefited from a major boost from the World Cup. The company, which operates over 2,300 betting shops in the UK and Ireland, said underlying profit [...]
Playtech sees profits soar as it grows further August 26, 2010 PLAYTECH, the online gaming software firm, yesterday reported a jump in profit of 14 per cent to €37m (£30m), as launches of Italian bingo and French poker networks increased its presence in new markets. Total revenue was up 29 per cent to €72.9 and core profit rose 20 per cent to €54.2. The firm now [...]
ANALYST VIEWS: IS WILLIAM HILL IN LINE FOR A BIG WIN? August 26, 2010 IVOR JONES | NUMIS The share price has continued to be weak and William Hill has fallen to a level where we believe it is right to pick up shares for the medium-term. We are changing our recommendation to ‘add’ from ‘hold’. GEETANJALI SHARMA | EXECUTION NOBLE William Hill’s performance is impressive as its 26 [...]
Avis Europe motors to a profit August 26, 2010 Car rental firm Avis Europe posted its best first-half results in five years, swinging to a profit on new contract wins and cost controls, and signalled growth in markets in Asia and the Middle East. January to June underlying pre-tax profit was €0.3m (£0.2m) compared with a loss of €13.9m a year ago. Rental income [...]
Hikma boosted by rise in sales August 26, 2010 Hikma Pharmaceuticals said a strong performance in US generics and product launches helped its first-half revenue rise 11 per cent and put it on track for similar growth for the year. The Jordon-based company, which sells off-patent generic drugs under its own brands and in-licensed products across the Middle East and North Africa, and generics [...]
IMI is bullish on margins August 26, 2010 IMI posted a sharp rise in first-half profit that beat market forecasts on higher margins, which the British engineer expects to go up further in the second half, and said it sees new clean energy laws driving growth in several markets. For the January to June period, IMI reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £136.4m, [...]
Strong growth for Filtrona August 26, 2010 British plastic and fibre products supplier Filtrona reported a 37 per cent rise in its first-half adjusted pre-tax profit, helped by a revenue rise in its higher margin divisions, and forecast strong growth in the second half. The company, which develops and manufactures products for use in consumer, medical and industrial markets, raised its interim [...]
New business wins aid Huntsworth August 26, 2010 UK public relations firm Huntsworth posted a nine per cent rise in its first-half pre-tax profit, helped by new business wins, and said it could weather cuts to government spending. Huntsworth, whose public relations brands include Citigate, Grayling and Red, raised its interim dividend by 20 per cent to 0.90p. For the January to June period, [...]
Salamander eyes Asia expansion August 26, 2010 Salamander Energy is looking to expand further in Asia through acquisitions and farm-in deals, its chief executive said, after swinging to a first-half adjusted profit on higher production and crude oil prices CLc1. Salamander forecast average production for the rest of 2010 to rise to 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) after completing [...]
Tanfield hit by funding concerns August 26, 2010 Tanfield Group’s shares nearly halved in value, hitting a seven-year low yesterday, after the troubled electric van maker said it was in talks to sell its shares at a substantial discount to tackle a cash shortage. The company said it expected the fundraising to be structured as an open offer, partially underwritten by certain directors. [...]
