Analyst Views | What did you make of Kingfisher’s statement? July 24, 2013 SIMON IRWINCREDIT SUISSEWhile this beat is encouraging … it shows more the volatility driven by weather, soft comparatives and calendar effects rather than a clear evidence of an improvement in underlying demand. JAMES GRZINICJEFFERIESSales performance was better than expected…The update confirmed a seasonally-driven rebound in the UK, normalisation in French pressures and much stronger performance [...]
Wetherspoons more bullish as UK pub-goers’ mood improves July 24, 2013 JD WETHERSPOON raised its profit forecast yesterday and said it plans to accelerate pub openings thanks to a recovery in margins and a more upbeat mood among customers. The pub chain’s 800 pubs have helped cash-strapped consumers ride out the downturn with promotions like curry clubs and “beer and a burger” bargains. Like-for-like sales rose [...]
Compass feasts on US demand for its services July 24, 2013 COMPASS posted a four per cent rise in third quarter sales yesterday after a strong appetite for its services in North America helped offset tough conditions in Europe. The FTSE 100 catering firm, which operates in 50 countries and serves 4bn meals a year, also saw operating profit margin increase by 20 basis points in [...]
British Land ups its dividend on upbeat outlook July 24, 2013 BRITISH Land, the property giant behind the Cheesegrater skyscraper in the City, has raised its dividend in a display of confidence as the economy shows signs of improving. The UK’s second largest listed property firm said yesterday it is raising its quarterly dividend by 2.3 per cent to 6.75p and 27p for the year, “reflecting [...]
Loss of rail deal dents National Express profits July 24, 2013 SHARES in National Express jumped 3.7 per cent yesterday in spite of the bus and train operator posting a 14 per cent fall in half-year profits. The firm said its non-rail business had increased revenues by 10 per cent, helping to shore up the firm’s results in spite of uncertainty around rail franchises in Britain. [...]
Blockbusters rake in cash for cinemas July 24, 2013 A SERIES of blockbuster films saw Brits spending nearly a third more in cinemas during May and June, compared to the same months last year. Movies such as Man of Steel, The Great Gatsby, World War Z and Despicable Me 2 resulted in 31 per cent more being spent in cinemas over the two months, [...]
Double demand for 4G may push EE towards float July 24, 2013 SMARTPHONE demand boosted the results of Britain’s largest mobile operator EE in the first six months of the year, increasing the likelihood that it could be floated later in 2013. EE yesterday posted a 9.1 per cent increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to £734m for the six months to June, [...]
Bullish ARM beats forecasts as quarter two profits rise 30pc July 24, 2013 BRITISH chip designer ARM Holdings yesterday said it expected continued strong demand for its technology after higher-than-expected licensing of its processors in the second quarter. The FTSE 100-listed firm reported a 30 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £86.6m yesterday, beating forecasts. ARM has outpaced the wider semiconductor market for the past five years [...]
Hit to Motorola Solutions sales July 24, 2013 MOTOROLA Solutions, known for its walkie-talkies, yesterday cut its 2013 sales forecast for the second time in three months and said business customers continued to delay purchases. Shares of the company, which depends on government spending for most of its revenue, closed down 6.57 per cent in New York. Motorola spun off its cellphone arm [...]
Revenues up for Talk Talk July 24, 2013 TELECOMS operator Talk Talk yesterday posted its second successive quarter of revenue growth, attracting 160,000 TV customers and 27,000 mobile customers during the period. Its broadband customer base rose by 8,000, while fibre customers grew by 22,000, boosting total revenues by 1.7 per cent to £421m. “We reiterate our full year financial guidance and remain [...]
