Bargains bring home the bacon but bite into profits December 9, 2012 AS DECENT numbers for Nando’s reveal the chain moved into profit last year after three in the red, the cheaper end of the restaurant sector may be turning a corner. The latest figures from BDO indicate that operators including the Restaurant Group and JD Wetherspoon have seen an upturn in trade in September and October. [...]
Floor price for alcohol will hit poor hardest November 28, 2012 THE GOVERNMENT yesterday unveiled plans to introduce minimum prices for alcohol, despite concerns that such a move will penalise ordinary drinkers. The home office proposals include a ban on multi-buy promotions and a minimum unit price of 45p in England and Wales. As a result a one litre bottle of Gordon’s gin – currently available from [...]
Pub meals help Mitchells and Butlers as it faces muted sales November 27, 2012 PUBS and restaurants group Mitchells & Butlers yesterday reported a rise in full-year profit but like-for-like sales in the first eight weeks of the new year were flat, sending its shares down as much as five per cent. The owner of All Bar One, Harvester and O’Neills chains said alcohol duty increases and food price [...]
Olympic Games give boost to JD Wetherspoon after wet summer November 8, 2012 PUB chain giant JD Wetherspoon yesterday said a boost from the Olympic and Paralympic Games had led sales to rise by 11.1 per cent in the 13 week period to 28 October. The results suggested an upturn in the wider pub trade in late summer and early autumn, after wet weather in the previous quarter [...]
Raft of firms set to release figures as Bank debates if more QE needed November 4, 2012 THE biggest question for UK investors this week is whether the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will opt for more quantitative easing. The decision, which will be announced on Thursday, comes after strong jobs and GDP data. “Strong third quarter GDP data suggested that underlying growth was slightly stronger than previously thought and [...]
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 [...]
Retailers report but all eyes on world economy September 9, 2012 THE GLOBAL economy will once again set the tone for the markets this week, with a crucial German ruling on the new bailout fund due on Wednesday and a potential move on QE3 by the US Federal Reserve on Thursday. Greek leaders will today meet with their creditors to outline further austerity measures. And UBS’s [...]
Euro 2012 and Jubilee joy for Wetherspoons July 11, 2012 BRITISH pub operator JD Wetherspoon said yesterday cost pressures from government legislation would weigh this year on what has so far been a solid performance boosted by major events. Wetherspoon, whose cut-price drinks and meal offers had made it one of the stronger performing pub chains through the economic downturn, said like-for-like sales, which strip [...]
JD Wetherspoon sales rise with Euros boost July 11, 2012 Pub operator JD Wetherspoon said cost pressures from government legislation would weigh this year on what has so far been a solid performance boosted by major events. Wetherspoon, whose cut-price drinks and meal offers had made it one of the stronger performing pub chains through the economic downturn, said like-for-like sales for the 11 weeks [...]
LONDON REPORT July 8, 2012 ALL eyes will be focused on the Treasury Select Committee hearing today, as deputy Bank of England governor Paul Tucker presents his side of the story in the Barclays/ Libor scandal. His appearance will be followed tomorrow by one from Marcus Agius, the former Barclays chairman. Today sees trading updates from housebuilder Bovis – expected [...]