Frasers Group: Mike Ashley’s firm issues profit warning amid ‘significant disruption’ caused by coronavirus March 20, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has issued a profit warning this morning citing the “significant disruption” to business. Formerly Sports Direct, the retailer will no longer give guidance in relation to the current financial year. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the firm has seen reduced customer footfall to its brands’ stores, which includes House of Fraser, [...]
CMA considers enforcement action against developers over ‘troubling’ leasehold mis-selling claims February 28, 2020 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to launch enforcement action against developers after finding “troubling evidence of potential mis-selling and unfair contract terms”. The watchdog launched a probe into the industry last year and confirmed today that it had found evidence of “serious issues” within the housing sector. The issues revolve around the [...]
Housebuilder Persimmon confident in outlook as construction sites reopen April 29, 2020 Housebuilder Persimmon said customer enquiries have remained at good levels throughout the UK coronavirus lockdown so far as the developer pushes ahead with the phased reopening of its construction sites. The company said steady customer enquiries provided “some encouragement on the resilience of demand” during the coronavirus crisis. Persimmon’s current forward sales position is “robust” [...]
Screenshot: Is price comparison the Future of publishing? November 27, 2020 A weekly column from City A.M. bringing you all the biggest stories and trends in technology, media and telecoms This week **Media Moment of the Week: A baking bonanza **Future’s flirtation with Go Compare: Insane or inspired? **Baby boomer radio beats Media Moment of the Week For many of us, The Great British Bake Off [...]
Before the Bell: Europe set for positive start despite softness in Asia markets March 8, 2021 No one can complain about a lack of volatility in financial markets at the moment. The tug-of-war between economic recovery and inflation risks continued on Wall Street on Friday and spilt out onto the street in Asia. Friday’s outsized 379,000 gain in Non-Farm Payrolls caused US yields to spike initially. Still, equity markets just couldn’t [...]
Persimmon sales slump due to customer service drive January 15, 2020 Persimmon has reported a slump in revenue and housing completions, which the housebuilder blamed on a decision to “put customers before volume”. The FTSE 100 firm said total group revenue last year was £3.65bn, a 2.4 per cent dip compared to the previous year as it took action to improve quality and customer service following [...]
Strong homes performance keep MJ Gleeson on track despite loss February 13, 2020 Urban housing regeneration firm MJ Gleeson has reported strong performance from its homes division for the half-year. The company registered an operating profit of £15.9m in this sector during the first half of the year 2019/20, up from £14m in the comparable six month period, a 13 per cent increase. However, overall profit after tax [...]
House of Fraser accused of reversing fur ban November 20, 2019 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley is facing accusations that he has overturned a ban on real fur at House of Fraser. Customers posted images on social media that appeared to show fur-lined coats found in store, despite the company’s previous no-fur stance. Read more: Sports Direct hit by ‘terminal’ House of Fraser problems Some shoppers pledged [...]
Johanna Kyrklund: the FOMO market is over – so, what’s next? April 12, 2021 Maybe lockdown has made me more middle aged and boring. I’m just not as interested in trendy stuff any more, both in my personal life (I opted for a VW ID3, not a Tesla, after all) and now in investing. But in today’s markets a more boring approach – favouring diversification and judiciousness over more [...]
Property of the Week: Old or new? Take your pick on Portobello Road January 31, 2020 It may be home to the world’s largest antiques market; but Portobello Road in Notting Hill is surely just as renowned for its property. Tourists and influencers alike make the pilgrimage to W11 to take pictures with the row of brightly coloured Georgian houses, which have become such a symbol of London that they feature [...]