Kingfisher share price falls as World Cup distracts DIY shoppers July 24, 2014 Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher have fallen by more than 7.3 per cent in early trading, after the company reported falling like-for-like sales and the acquisition of French DIY brand Mr Bricolage. Chief executive Sir Ian Cheshire said that second quarter trading "was always expected to be more difficult", and that markets "have been slower [...]
Shares slump at Kingfisher after earnings miss May 29, 2014 KINGFISHER’S shares fell nearly five per cent yesterday after first quarter profits fell short of City expectations, despite its B&Q chain delivering its best performance in a decade. The group, which also owns Screwfix and Castorama in France, said underlying operating profits increased by 20.3 per cent to £142m in the 13 weeks to 3 [...]
What you need to know before the open May 29, 2014 European markets are expected up this morning, with the focus on the latest first quarter GDP number from the US. Bond prices continued to rise yesterday – in peripheral as well as UK and German ones – with the market still firmly decoupled from equities. Data-wise, things are quiet in Europe, with the significant numbers [...]
Best of the Brokers for 02 June 2014 June 2, 2014 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com ASOS N+1 Singer has lowered its target price on the online fashion retailer from 5300p to 4100p but maintained its “hold” rating on the stock. The broker is concerned that the group’s sales growth rate in overseas markets is under threat, and has [...]
Kingfisher begins capital return April 28, 2014 Kingfisher, Europe’s largest home improvements retailer, said yesterday it had begun its programme to return £200m to shareholders this year after buying and cancelling 500,000 ordinary shares. It paid between 409.9p and 414.95p for the shares. The B&Q and Screwfix owner announced last month that it would launch a multi-year programme starting with £200m in [...]
Philip Clarke, Euan Sutherland and Dov Charney – the bosses who left us in 2014 December 19, 2014 This year has had its fair share of disasters – from the Co-op’s continued struggles to Tesco’s melting share price. But what of the people behind the stories? We’ve got the best, worst and most surprising people moves of the year. 1. Philip Clarke makes an unceremonious departure from Tesco Clarke stepped down at [...]
Kingfisher returns £200m to shareholders March 25, 2014 KINGFISHER, the owner of DIY chains B&Q and Screwfix, announced plans to hand £200m to shareholders as brighter prospects in the UK helped boost its full-year performance, sending shares up six per cent yesterday. Finance director Karen Witts said it will launch a multi-year programme starting with £200m in this financial year – its first [...]
What you need to know before the open April 3, 2014 Markets are set to open higher this morning as investors turn their eyes to the European Central Bank (ECB). Many are hoping that the ECB will take measures to tackle deflationary pressures in the Eurozone. Corporate data Vodafone has announced it will to open 150 new shops across the UK, creating 1,400 jobs. B&Q and [...]
Kingfisher bids for French rival Mr Bricolage April 3, 2014 EUROPE’S biggest home improvement retailer Kingfisher has bolstered its presence in France by agreeing to buy smaller rival Mr Bricolage for €275m (£227m) including debt. The B&Q owner, which makes about half of its annual profit in France, said it has entered exclusive talks to buy 26.2 per cent of the share capital from the [...]
City Moves for 22 April 2014 | Who’s switching jobs April 21, 2014 DWF The law firm has appointed Stephen Miles as chief executive of its commercial services division. He joins from Pinsent Masons, where he was head of financial institutions and human capital, and a member of its leadership team. Miles is a transactional banking lawyer, and has acted for the national acquisition and leveraged finance teams [...]