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 […]

Thomas Cook Hit Hard in Continental Europe

Thomas Cook TCG has been hit hard in Continental Europe with prices down 3% compared to last year on top of a 9% fall in bookings. Belgium is down significantly following the Brussels terror attacks and Germany is showing a 6% fall compared to 2015. Overall today’s pre close update shows strong demand for most […]

Mothercare Delivering at Last

Mothercare MTC The turnround in the UK is continuing apace with group underlying profit before tax up by 51% and statutory profit before tax of £9.7m, being the first after four years of losses.  Like for like UK sales rose by 3.6% Internationally the picture is much blacker and having set the UK on a […]

Naked Wine on Cloud Nine

The CEO of Majestic Wine (WINE) is very excited about Naked Wines record sales of £100 m., already achieved in the year to 31st March 2016. For those who like their wine clothed and in a glass, Naked Wine is an online crowd funding platform and apparantly one of the best things since sliced bread. […]

Lies, Damned Lies and Thomas Cook’s Headline Statistics

“Lies, damned lies and statistics”  a phrase often attributed to Disraeli, is used to describe the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments. Some of the headlines used in Thomas Cooks third quarter results last week seemed to lend some strength to the adage. “The 12th consecutive quarter of improved profitability”, trumpeted Cooks, […]