JD Sports boosted by World Cup June 9, 2010 JD Sports Fashion has seen a return to growth after sales were boosted by the World Cup. The group, which trades as JD Sports, Chausport, Size, Bank and Scotts from over 530 stores, said on Wednesday sales at UK and Irish shops open at least a year rose 4.1 per cent in the 18 weeks [...]
FTSE reshuffle sees new floats dominate the index June 8, 2010 TOUR operator Thomas Cook is set to lose its place in the FTSE 100 Index following the latest reshuffle of blue-chip stocks. The firm’s shares have fallen by a third in the past three months as the travel industry copes with the recession and Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud. The result of the reshuffle will be [...]
Know your Derbys from your Oxfords April 22, 2010 WHILE it’s tempting for a chap to slink to work each day in the same tatty lace-ups he’s owned for years, a pair of fine, handmade English shoes is a worthwhile investment for any City gent worth his salt. In fact he should have several, ensuring that each lasts longer and that he can vary [...]
JD Sports profits surge April 14, 2010 RETAILER JD Sports Fashion yesterday reported a 26 per cent rise in annual profits and hiked its dividend. Pre-tax profits before exceptional items surged to £67.4m in the year to 30 January – up from £53.6m last year. Like-for-like sales were up two per cent in the ten weeks to 10 April. The company said [...]
JD Sports profits surge and dividend raised April 14, 2010 RETAILER JD Sports Fashion has reported a 26 per cent rise in annual profits and hiked its dividend. Pre-tax profits before exceptional items surged to £67.4m in the year to 30 January – up from £53.6m last year. Like-for-like sales were up two per cent in the ten weeks to April 10. The company said [...]
Sports Direct mulls a cash bid for Blacks March 2, 2010 SPORTS Direct yesterday said it is considering a takeover offer for Blacks Leisure. Mike Ashley’s group, which has brands including Slazenger and Dunlop, already owns almost 30 per cent of Blacks shares. It said it is “evaluating a possible cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Blacks”. The company, [...]
Sports Direct in share swoop February 22, 2010 RETAILER Sports Direct is trying to win a disputed 29 per cent stake in Blacks Leisure and potentially use its muscle to oppose its troubled rival’s rescue plans. Sports Direct’s subsidiary Sportsdirect.com is looking to acquire the shares as well as an 11 per cent holding in JD Sports Fashion from the administrators of collapsed [...]
Sports Direct in swoop for stake in Blacks February 22, 2010 RETAILER Sports Direct is circling for a disputed 29 per cent stake in rival Blacks Leisure. Sports Direct’s subsidiary Sportsdirect.com is looking to acquire the rights as well as an 11 per cent holding in JD Sports Fashion from the administrators of collapsed bank Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander. The move would allow the FTSE 250 [...]
JD Sports on track as sales surge January 7, 2010 JD Sports Fashion said yesterday it was on track to beat the City’s profit expectations for the year after enjoying a festive boost. Like-for-like sales rose 6.6 per cent in the five weeks to 6 January, driven by the performance of its fashion-focused chains Bank and Scotts, where trading rose 9.7 per cent. The group [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS January 7, 2010 SAGE UBS has switched its rating to “buy” from “netural”, pointing out it is trading at a 23 per cent discount to its FTSE peer group. It believes the current share price ignores the sustainability of Sage’s 2009 cost savings programme. Anticipates a “solid” trading update later this month, and says “patient” buyers will be [...]