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Worst Christmas in a decade for UK retailers - BRC
Retailers in the UK suffered their worst Christmas in a decade last month amid worries about Brexit and weak consumer confidence, according to data released by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG.
M&S Christmas total revenues fall 3.9%
Troubled high street retailer Marks & Spencer maintained full year guidance as third quarter group total revenue fell 3. 9% to £3. 04bn.
China reveals progress in talks with US
China’s commerce ministry said on Thursday that trade talks with the US had progressed positively over issues such as forced technology transfers and intellectual property rights.
Premier Asset Management ups dividend though inflows stumble
Premier Asset Management Group’s shares climbed on Thursday after the company upped its quarterly dividend as net flows slowed but still remained positive.
Brighton Pier Group plummets as rail closures decimate profits
The Brighton Pier Group’s shares dived on Thursday after the company warned that full-year profits will not meet expectations after disappointing performances from the pier and bar divisions.
John Lewis staff bonus under threat despite positive Christmas update
Staff at John Lewis may not be getting their bonus this year, the retailer said on Thursday, as it continues to expect "substantially" lower full-year profit despite a decent Christmas performance.
I3 Energy plans multi-well drilling campaign for summer
Independent oil and gas company I3 Energy intends to kick off a multi-well drilling campaign across its Liberator field and Serenity prospect this summer.
Hilton Food performance underpinned by Seachill, Australia operations
Food packing business Hilton Food said on Thursday that it performed in line with expectations in the year to 30 December 2018, driven by Seachill and its Australian operations.
Primorus buys more Greatland shares following recent drilling results
Primorus Investments advised shareholders on Thursday that, as per its investment mandate, it now owned a total of 35 million shares in AIM-listed metals exploration company Greatland Gold, representing 1. 09% of the issued capital in Greatland at a weighted average price of 1. 71p per share.
Jupiter Fund Management reports £1.5bn outflows in Q4
Jupiter Fund Management reported £1. 5bn of net outflows in the last quarter of 2018 as weak markets led to £5bn fall in assets under management to £42. 7bn.
Speirs & Jeffrey helps lift year-end performance at Rathbone Brothers
Rathbone Brothers updated the market on its for the three months ended 31 December on Thursday, reporting that while the final quarter of 2018 reflected weaker investment markets, total year-end funds under management and administration benefitted from its recent acquisition of Speirs & Jeffrey.
Prudential and UOB extend and expand bancassurance alliance
Prudential, alongside United Overseas Bank, announced the renewal of their regional strategic bancassurance alliance on Thursday.
London open: Retail disappointment weighs on FTSE but Tesco bucks trend
It was all about the retail sector on Thursday, with London stocks on the back foot after disappointing updates from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Halfords and Card Factory, as only Tesco held its own on the top-flight index.
Halfords shares dive as it revises profit forecasts
Motoring and cycling product and service retailer Halfords Group updated the market on its trading performance for the 14 weeks ended 4 January on Thursday, reporting a 1. 7% fall in like-for-like group revenue.
Petroneft Resources appoints Karl Johnson as chief executive
Oil and gas exploration outfit Petroneft Resources tapped non-executive director David Sturt as its next chief executive on Thursday, taking over from interim CEO Karl Johnson.
Premier Oil cuts more debt than forecast
Premier Oil said on Thursday said had cut debt to $2. 3bn at the end of 2018, below previous forecasts of $2. 4bn, a $390m reduction on 2017.
Card Factory sales fall 0.5% over Xmas; says 2020 will be 'difficult'
Greeting card retailer Card Factory said like-for-like sales over Christmas fell 0. 5%, reflecting continuing weakness in consumer demand, as it warned 2020 would be “another difficult year”.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Retailers, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce
Retailers experienced their worst Christmas for 10 years last month as shops were hit by Brexit worries and a dramatic fall in consumer confidence. Total sales growth dropped to zero in December for the first time since 2008, with all areas of the high street hit by a fall in sales except food, which benefited from intense competition among the major supermarket chains. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower amid US shutdown woes as retailers report
London stocks were set to drop at the open on Thursday following weak Chinese inflation data and after US President Trump's decision to storm out of a meeting with Congressional Democrat leaders sparked fresh concerns about the US government shutdown.
M&S maintains full-year guidance, Tesco outshines supermarket rivals
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 33 points lower on Thursday, having closed up 0. 66% at 6,906. 63 on Wednesday.