Ibstock profit slashed as ‘exceptionally wet weather’ hits construction industry August 7, 2024 Sales and profit at building supplies company Ibstock has continued to fall as “exceptionally wet weather” badly affected the construction industry. The London-listed firm, which is headquartered in Leicestershire, saw its revenue drop 20 per cent to £178m in the first six months of 2024, down from £223m last year. Ibstock said this decrease was [...]
Vodafone launches next stage of £3.4bn shareholder value return plan August 7, 2024 Vodafone has launched the next stage of its share repurchase programme worth up to €500m (£430m). In March, the firm said it would return €4bn (£3.4bn) to shareholders as part of a broader capital allocation review in an attempt to appease jittery shareholders following asset sales. It kicked off the return in May with an [...]
Wealth manager Quilter posts record adjusted profit as investors’ nerves ease August 7, 2024 FTSE 250 wealth manager Quilter has reported a record adjusted profit amid a recovery in net inflows and improvements in global equity markets.
UK economy’s recovery from pandemic stronger than first thought August 7, 2024 The UK economy recovered from the pandemic faster than had previously been thought, new revisions from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show. In the latest set of Blue Book revisions, the ONS upgraded their estimate for GDP growth in 2022 from 4.3 per cent to 4.8 per cent. This upgrade was a “little larger” [...]
UK house prices surge to highest point since January to end months of stagnation after rate cut August 7, 2024 Renewed momentum in the property market has seen UK house prices rise at the highest rate since January, ending a three-month spell of stagnation. House prices increased by 0.8 per cent in July, with the average property now costing £291,268, up from £289,042 in June, according to the Halifax house price index. This surge sets [...]
Coca-Cola HBC raises guidance after strong half despite currency headwinds August 7, 2024 Coca-Cola HBC AG has raised its guidance after the company reported another strong six months of growth, despite currency headwinds eating into the group’s profits in emerging markets. The bottling giant behind Coca Cola and other major soft drinks reported revenue growth of 3.1 per cent in the six months to 24 June. Sales of [...]
‘More work to do’ on airport accessibility, aviation watchdog warns August 7, 2024 Britain's aviation regulator has said "more work" needs to be done to improve airport accessibility, despite significant improvement over the last year.
WPP sells majority stake in FGS Global to KKR as group growth flounders August 7, 2024 WPP also reported its interim results in a separate announcement. Despite flat revenue at £7.2bn, there was a 2.6 per cent drop on a like-for-like basis.
Legal & General beats profit estimate and raises dividend amid strategic overhaul August 7, 2024 Legal & General (L&G) has raised its dividend as its profit for the first half of 2024 exceeded expectations, after its new chief promised a "simpler" future.
Hiscox: Lloyd’s of London insurer reports ‘robust growth’ despite a more ‘active loss environment’ August 7, 2024 Hiscox, the Lloyd’s of London insurer, has reported another set of strong results as the company has continued to benefit from a hard insurance market. In its interim results for the six months to 30th June, the company recorded 3.3 per cent growth in insurance contract written premium (ICWP). The figure rose $89.6m (£70.5m) to [...]