Kingfisher makeover fails to impress March 29, 2019 The Kingfisher makeover has yet to win over investors, with results from the B&Q owner showing why. There are signs of progress within the Kingfisher (LSE:KGF) transformation plan, but the retail environment remains fiercely competitive and will continue to move on as the company tries to put its own house in order. Unfortunately, any benefits [...]
H&M shares soar despite profit fall March 29, 2019 Shares in Swedish clothing retailer H&M soared today after it unveiled better-than-expected profit figures for the first quarter. Shares in the Stockholm-listed clothing giant jumped 12 per cent to hit 158 Swedish krona, despite a fall in profit. Pre-tax profit fell for the seventh straight quarter in the three months ending in February, sliding to [...]
Tesco boss accuses business rates system of ‘killing’ retailers March 28, 2019 The chief executive of Tesco, Dave Lewis, has harshly criticised the UK’s business rates system, saying it has become “a rising tax on investment” in a speech today. Lewis said that increasing business rates have come as retailers are squeezed by online competitors, and called for an online sales levy. He brushed off criticism that this [...]
TSB needs three-year turnaround before potential sale, Sabadell says March 27, 2019 Challenger bank TSB could be sold but must undergo a turnaround and cut costs first, its Spanish owner Banco Sabadell has said. Sabadell chairman Josep Oliu said TSB needed three years to get back on track but that a merger or a sale were options. Read more: TSB falls to £105m loss after IT disaster [...]
UK retail sales see biggest contraction in 17 months, says CBI March 27, 2019 UK retail sales volumes fell sharply in March, seeing the fastest contraction in 17 months and marking a four-month run in which sales have not grown, a leading business group said today. Of the businesses surveyed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), 46 per cent said sales volumes were lower in March than a [...]
Opinion divided on Next shares March 27, 2019 After a drop below £50 for the first time this month, buyers are back. Our head of markets explains why. As expected, full-year profits at Next (LSE:NXT) have dipped slightly although in line with previous guidance, whilst revenues are ahead of expectations. The difference between the fortunes of stores and online is becoming increasingly marked. [...]
Nine UK shares that tick all of Warren Buffett’s boxes March 26, 2019 By Kyle Caldwell from interactive investor. Looking for equity-based ISA inspiration? We run through the investment checklist of the Berkshire Hathaway chairman to identify UK shares that pass his stockpicking rules. American investor Warren Buffett is to the world of investment what Lionel Messi is to football: the greatest of his generation in the profession [...]
Ocado strikes factory deal with Australian grocer Coles a month after £1.5bn Marks & Spencer tie-up March 26, 2019 Ocado has agreed a deal to provide two robot-operated fulfillment centres for Australian grocer Coles Online, as it doubles down on its growing role as a retail technology supplier. Read more: Ocado shares burn after 48-hour blaze at robotics centre The online supermarket will build and operate the customer fulfillment centres in Sydney and Melbourne, [...]
Moss Bros wipes out dividend as it swings to a loss after ‘extremely challenging’ year March 26, 2019 Historic men’s tailoring firm Moss Bros moved into the red this morning, blaming a turbulent trading environment for its first losses in almost a decade. Shares tumbled more than five per cent in early morning trading. Read more: Joules boss Colin Porter to take on role as Moss Bros chairman The figures In its preliminary [...]
AI is coming for you: One in three City of London jobs at risk from automation March 25, 2019 More than one in three jobs in the City of London are under threat from automation, a study has found. The Office for National Statistics identified around 710,000 jobs in the Square Mile which they said were at risk from new automated technology. However, the figures make the City one of the top four safest [...]