Ken Baksh – October market report…..trickery or treats!

October 2018 Market Report During the month to September 30th, 2018, major equity markets again displayed a mixed trend, rising by 1.19% overall and the VIX index fell. There continued to be an abundance of market moving news over what is traditionally a quieter month, at macro-economic, corporate and political levels. The European Central Bank […]

Ian Pollard – Galliford Try Cuts Dividend After Strong First Half

Galliford Try GFRD Has done the unthinkable, especially for a housebuilder which claims to have delivered a strong first half performance. It has not just tweaked its interim dividend, it has cut it by a hefty 13% The reason is of course perfectly natural. It wants to increase dividend cover to twice pre exceptional earnings. […]

WH Smith – Now A Travel Company

WH Smith PLC SMWH has now become a travel company rather than a high street retailer, as for the first time, Travel revenue has overtaken High Street revenue. Travel has now become the largest part of the group producing over 60% of group trading profit. Preliminary results for the year to the 31st August show […]

Major Companies Blame Challenging Conditions Again

Rank Group RNK met challenging trading conditions in the 6 months to 31st December but is still raising its interim dividend by 11% after a fall of 17% in profit before tax and 14% in basic earnings per share. Like for like group revenue for the half year rose by 2%. Nothing like raising  a […]

Fenner In Recovery Mode

Fenner FENR now expects results for the current year will be comfortably ahead of previous expectations as a result of gains in market share and refocusing of the businesses. These factors have helped to create an improving trend in order intake and a stronger market position in the US. Australia is doing well and results […]

Ladbrokes Doesn’t Like Losing – Come On Leicester!

Ladbrokes LAD complains that at Cheltenham bookmaking principles were abandoned because of intense competition and that until then results had been favourable, At least that tells us that one of the main principles of the betting industry is that the bookie always wins and something has gone seriously wrong if they don’t. Similarly Ladbrokes is […]