Scottish independence: BT, TalkTalk, EE, Telefonica, Vodafone and Three warn of increased costs if Scots vote Yes September 14, 2014 Six of Britain's leading telecoms companies are the latest to warn of potential price rises if Scotland votes Yes to independence. The chiefs of BT, TalkTalk, EE, Telefonica UK, Vodafone UK and Three UK have issued a joint letter warning that the uncertainty around regulation and spectrum allocation, which mobile networks use to operate, could [...]
The new queen of Kingfisher September 10, 2014 B&Q-owner Kingfisher is to replace Sir Ian Cheshire, its long-standing chief executive, with Véronique Laury, the head of its French DIY business. The DIY and horse jumping enthusiast will become the fifth woman chief executive in the FTSE 100
B&Q owner Kingfisher’s share price rises as it names Veronique Laury as Sir Ian Cheshire’s replacement September 10, 2014 Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher opened 2.8 per cent higher this morning after it revealed its new chief executive as Sir Ian Cheshire prepares to step down. He will be replaced by the chief executive of Castorama France, Veronique Laury, before the end of the financial year. Cheshire, who has been with the company for [...]
Kingfisher share price falls as World Cup distracts DIY shoppers July 24, 2014 Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher have fallen by more than 7.3 per cent in early trading, after the company reported falling like-for-like sales and the acquisition of French DIY brand Mr Bricolage. Chief executive Sir Ian Cheshire said that second quarter trading "was always expected to be more difficult", and that markets "have been slower [...]
Best of the Brokers for 02 June 2014 June 2, 2014 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com ASOS N+1 Singer has lowered its target price on the online fashion retailer from 5300p to 4100p but maintained its “hold” rating on the stock. The broker is concerned that the group’s sales growth rate in overseas markets is under threat, and has [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher’s shares are tumbling. Here’s why May 29, 2014 Kingfisher shares have shed 6.1 per cent, despite the home improvements retailer announcing a £100m special dividend this morning. Like-for-like sales at B&Q jumped 9.7 per cent to £1bn in the first quarter, with Screwfix seeing a 12 per cent increase, to £192m. But investors may not have been so filled with confidence over the [...]
What you need to know before the open May 29, 2014 European markets are expected up this morning, with the focus on the latest first quarter GDP number from the US. Bond prices continued to rise yesterday – in peripheral as well as UK and German ones – with the market still firmly decoupled from equities. Data-wise, things are quiet in Europe, with the significant numbers [...]
Kingfisher begins capital return April 28, 2014 Kingfisher, Europe’s largest home improvements retailer, said yesterday it had begun its programme to return £200m to shareholders this year after buying and cancelling 500,000 ordinary shares. It paid between 409.9p and 414.95p for the shares. The B&Q and Screwfix owner announced last month that it would launch a multi-year programme starting with £200m in [...]
Kingfisher bids for French rival Mr Bricolage April 3, 2014 EUROPE’S biggest home improvement retailer Kingfisher has bolstered its presence in France by agreeing to buy smaller rival Mr Bricolage for €275m (£227m) including debt. The B&Q owner, which makes about half of its annual profit in France, said it has entered exclusive talks to buy 26.2 per cent of the share capital from the [...]
What you need to know before the open April 3, 2014 Markets are set to open higher this morning as investors turn their eyes to the European Central Bank (ECB). Many are hoping that the ECB will take measures to tackle deflationary pressures in the Eurozone. Corporate data Vodafone has announced it will to open 150 new shops across the UK, creating 1,400 jobs. B&Q and [...]