FTSE ends week little changed November 30, 2012 The FTSE 100 closed down slightly today, as mid-session gains vanished by the end of the day. The flagship index was down 0.06 per cent at 5,866.82 but November still finished as one of the best-performing months of the year for London stocks. The markets were hit by this afternoon’s release of figures showing record-high [...]
Dixons steals Comet’s place in the spotlight November 29, 2012 THERE are two kinds of people in this world: winners and losers. And if the contrast between rivals Dixons and Comet’s recent luck is anything to go by, the same looks to be true of companies. Luckily for Dixons, it looks like Comet’s demise has put the firm’s star firmly in the ascendant. Its shares [...]
Profits fall at B&Q owner November 29, 2012 Profits at DIY group Kingfisher fell by six per cent in the third quarter to £257m, due to a tough sales environment in the UK and France. The owner of the B&Q chain saw UK and Ireland sales fall by 3.8 per cent on a like-for-like basis. The firm is badly affected by the stagnating [...]
Dunelm welcomes wet weather as its profits surge 15 per cent September 13, 2012 HOMEWARES retailer Dunelm impressed yesterday with a 15.1 per cent jump in annual pre-tax profit to £96.2m, which it credited to gains in market share coupled with a wet summer. Revenues were up 12.1 per cent at £603.7m in the year to 30 June, including an £8m “weather benefit” in the final quarter. Stripping out [...]
The Tipster | Raise your glass to JD Wetherspoon September 10, 2012 TRADERS have been questioning JD Wetherspoon, after the company’s share price stumbled over the last few weeks. However, there is optimism about the full-year results, due this week, as the European football championships are expected to have helped the pub chain. Shares hit year-highs above 480p in August, and the firm is expected to report [...]
Miners lead FTSE advance May 28, 2012 The FTSE tracked rises across Europe as a poll in Greece showed that that the pro-austerity conservative party in the debt laden state was ahead in the polls. According to the figures the New Democracy party could gain about a quarter of the votes, making it the biggest party with elections due on 17 June. [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING April 22, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Non US banks hope for reprieve on swaps US regulators are exploring ways to give large foreign banks and overseas subsidiaries of US lenders a reprieve from stringent new derivatives rules, potentially alleviating one of the biggest concerns facing global finance institutions. Chesapeake discloses chief’s $661m payments for wells Aubrey McClendon, the chief [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS March 25, 2012 KINGFISHER Nomura has upped its target price on the B&Q owner from 315p to 350p and maintained its “buy” rating on the stock following full-year results from the company last week. The broker has also increased its 2013 earnings per share outlook by four per cent to incorporate lower tax rates and a stronger view [...]
FTSE edges up despite retail fears March 23, 2012 The FTSE 100 bounced back in early trading after falls mainly triggered by miners who are fearful of a slowdown of growth in China. However, gains were minimal with the tough climate for UK retailers being laid bare by data from Nationwide today showing that consumer morale is weakening. Blue chip retailer Kingfisher, which owns [...]
B&Q owner sees profits surge March 22, 2012 KINGFISHER, the owner of B&Q, yesterday announced it had beaten forecasts with a 20 per cent rise in annual profit to £807m as it set out plans for further growth. Sales at the group, which also controls Castorama and Brico Depot in France, rose 3.6 per cent to £10.8bn, while the full-year dividend was lifted [...]