Travis Perkins profits slip 31 per cent amid slow down in house building August 1, 2023 Travis Perkins blamed a weak market for its falling revenues as the home improvement retailer struggles to cope with dwindling sales and a tough economic climate. In its half year results, the tools supplier said revenue slipped 2.5 per cent to £2.5bn and adjusted operating profits fell 31 per cent to £112m. A slowdown in [...]
Ovo exits parent firm in founder Stephen Fitzpatrick’s latest reshuffle July 31, 2023 Big Six energy supplier Ovo has cut ties with its long-standing parent company Imagination Industries, according to its latest results.
Argos ‘well positioned’ to face Amazon challenge amid transformation, says boss July 31, 2023 Argos is “well positioned” to face up to the challenge of Amazon and other online retail giants, according to bosses at parent firm Sainsbury’s. Paula Nickolds, the boss of the grocery giant’s general merchandise business including Argos, said the retail brand has maintained its “strong emotional bond with customers” despite changes to its operations amid shifting consumer habits. It comes as the high street stalwart marks 50 years since it was founded by Richard Thompson [...]
UK private economy wilts amid high inflation and interest rates, CBI survey shows July 31, 2023 Britain’s private sector economy is being trapped by high inflation and elevated interest rates and companies fear growth will continue to contract, a new survey out today shows. Research by the lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has found that activity across the private sector – which generates most output in the UK [...]
Westfield owner reports solid earnings as shopping centres show signs of recovery July 27, 2023 The owner of London’s Westfield shopping centres today reported a 1.6 per cent bump in earnings in the first half year, with net rental income across its property portfolio reaching €1.15bn (£989bn). Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which is headquartered in Paris, said EBITDA rose slightly by 1.6 per cent to €1.157bn (£993m). In its shopping centre division, which [...]
Britvic cheers strong results as it adds two further brands to its drinks cabinet July 27, 2023 Britvic this morning announced a positive set of third quarter results for the period ended 30 June, with UK revenue leaping 10 per cent on the previous year to reach £476m. The largest supplier of branded still soft drinks in Great Britain, which owns brands such as J20 and Robinson’s, also announced the acquisition of [...]
BNP Paribas beats estimates on debt financing and cost management July 27, 2023 BNP Paribas, the euro zone’s biggest bank, beat estimates in the second quarter as its corporate debt financing business and strong cost management partly offset a slump in securities trading. The French lender’s second-quarter net income fell 4.9 per cent on a reported basis to €2.8bn (£2.4bn), beating the €2.5bn analyst consensus compiled by the [...]
Hammerson: Paris and Croydon disposals leave £1.2m dent but revenues rise July 27, 2023 Hammerson reported a loss of £1.2m after the disposal of its stakes in Croydon and Paris shopping centre developments, while its revenue rose eight per cent. The property developer’s loss in its half-year results this morning was made against a £50.3m profit compared to last year. This comes after the shopping centre giant sold its [...]
Frasers: The boy done good! Ashley son-in-law guides firm to £5bn revenue July 27, 2023 Frasers Group revenues surged 15.8 per cent in the last financial year, totalling £5.56bn, as the retail powerhouse shows signs of performing well under the reign of new chief Michael Murray. Murray, who is the son in law of founder and business tycoon Mike Ashley, took over the business in 2022 after Ashley announced plans [...]
Cut the crap: City firms under pressure to strip out shareholder legalese July 27, 2023 Top City firms must ditch impenetrable legalese and dense corporate-speak in their shareholder missives or amateur investors will remain shut out of the market, experts have warned.