These are the key trends in retail in 2017 – and who will benefit from them January 16, 2017 The Christmas reporting season isn't over yet – the market is awaiting updates from Dixons Carphone and WH Smith – but the figures that have been reported so far have indicated some of the key retail trends investors should watch out for this year. Read more: Brexit vote boosts Hugo Boss The outlook for the UK consumer [...]
Brexit vote boosts Hugo Boss January 16, 2017 Hugo Boss has staged a partial recovery thanks to a sales boost in Britain and China. The German fashion house said its operating profit for 2016 will fall less than expected due to a 20 per cent increase in like-for-like sales in China in the fourth quarter, and a two per cent increase in Europe, which was [...]
National Grid systems to be a legally separate division… but will remain a subsidiary January 12, 2017 National Grid investors will breathe a sigh of relief as it has avoided being split up by the government. The business, energy, and industrial strategy department and regulator Ofgem today revealed plans for the the electricity system operator to be separated into its own distinct legal entity from 2019. But authorities stopped short of spinning [...]
Debenhams share price jumps at the open as it reveals increase sales over Christmas January 12, 2017 Shares in Debenhams rose over three per cent at the open, as the department store revealed an improvement in sales over the Christmas period. The figures Like-for-like sales were up five per cent in the seven weeks to 7 January, beating expectations. Debenhams attributed the improvement to beauty and gift sales, which took the non-clothing [...]
Investment banking fees plunged in 2016, but analysts predict 2017 pick-up January 4, 2017 Global investment banking fees fell seven per cent last year, with the UK’s plunging even further, thanks to a decline in flotations, equity raisings and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. However, the decline was less marked in the second half of 2016, and analysts are predicting a recovery this year. Thomson Reuters found global investment banking [...]
National Grid is planning a special dividend after the £14bn sale of its gas network December 8, 2016 Subsidiaries of China and Qatar's sovereign wealth funds are among the investors who have bought a 61 per cent stake in National Grid’s gas pipelines for £13.8bn, which will see £4bn returned to shareholders. National Grid said it had sold a 61 per cent equity interest in its NG Gas Distribution to a consortium of investors called the Quad [...]
Retailers’ share prices stung by the rise in the national living wage in the Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 Retailer's share prices are suffering this afternoon after chancellor Philip Hammond said the national living wage would rise in April next year. The national living wage hourly rate will increase from £7.20 an hour £7.50 an hour in 2017, Hammond said. Read more: The National Living Wage is going up again next April The change [...]
Hurricane Matthew impact “less than it might have been” for Lloyd’s insurer Lancashire November 3, 2016 Hurricane insurer Lancashire's share price spiralled up over eight per cent today after blowing away analysts with its third quarter results. Announcing a $150m (£121m) special dividend, the Lloyd's insurer said that the impact of Hurricane Matthew – the worst in the Atlantic for nine years – wasn't quite as bad as it had expected. "As an [...]
Royal Bank of Canada finance chief to retire and will be replaced by former PwC accountant October 24, 2016 One of Royal Bank of Canada's (RBC) executive stalwarts will retire at the end of January the bank announced this morning. Janice Fukakusa, who has been with RBC since 1985, will retire from her dual-posts of chief financial officer officer and chief administrative officer, with former beancounter Rod Bolger scheduled take over in lender's top finance job. Read more: RBC deal takes Banque SYZ into Switzerland's [...]
Debenhams’ boss in the spotlight over pension fund woes October 23, 2016 The new chief of Debenhams, Sergio Bucher, will be under the microscope for the first time this week when the company announces its full year results. Bucher joined the department store from Amazon, where he was vice president, and is under pressure to solve the question of Debenhams' growing pension scheme deficit. Analysts at Morgan [...]