Ian Pollard – Smith & Nephew; Knee Implants Stand Out !

Smith & Nephew SN is increasing its final dividend by 14% for the year to 31st December after revenue growth of 2% in the final quarter confirmed full year growth at 3%. Knee implants produced what it euphemistically describes as a standout performance driving growth for the whole group, plus double digit growth in emerging […]

Lloyds Banking – Another Billion Pounds of Dirty Washing

Lloyds Banking Group LLOY claims it is transforming its Key Customer Journey and if you look at the additional billion pound or so compensation which it is being forced to cough up to customers whom it cheated over the years, it certainly needed transforming. In the second quarter it had to make additional provision of […]

Smith & Nephew Raises Dividend 20% as Growth Slips

Smith & Nephew plc SN. proposes to increase its full year dividend by about 20% at current exchange rates following  a fourth quarter fall in reported revenue of 3%. The CEO admits that 2016 growth of 1% in reported revenue was lower than the company wanted and blames market conditions in China & the Gulf […]

Daily Mail Ups Divi After Profits Slide

Daily Mail & General DMGT After a dismal half year the Daily Mail is increasing its interim dividend by 3%, justified no doubt by an 11% fall in both profit before tax and earnings per share for the six months to 31st March.  The big impact came from weak print advertising, with no explanation provided […]

In Line & Boring Day Saved by Card Factory & Koovs

Rarely have so many companies had so little to say about themselves. Not a single boast this morning. One of the few hints of excitement comes from Card Factory CARD which is increasing it’s final dividend by 33%, making a 25% increase for the year as a whole. Profit before tax rose by 96.2%, fifty net new […]