MARKETS CLOSE: FTSE firmly in the red after Burberry plans

in news •  7 years ago 

Car parts retailer Halfords reported a smaller than expected half-year profit, hurt by higher costs resulting from a weaker pound.

Weakness in the currency since UK’s vote to leave the European Union has raised Halfords’ sourcing costs, prompting it to implement a plan to reduce the impact, including working with suppliers and raising prices.

3i Infrastructure posted an increase in net asset value to £1.8billion at 30 September, up from £1.7​billion at March 31.

Regional airline Flybe said it would continue to work to keep costs down following a profit warning last month, as the increased expense of aircraft maintenance weighed on its bottom line.

Countrywide shares have tumbled after the estate agent forecast full-year results at the lower end of market expectations due to a slowdown in the UK housing market.

Redrow shares have tumbled as the firm said ‘ongoing political and economic uncertainty’ caused sales to slip in recent weeks compared to a ‘very strong’ market last year.

Car dealer Lookers said it now expects sales to fall by around 5 per cent this year, the first annual decline since 2011.

Power grid operator National Grid reported a slightly worse-than-expected fall in half-year profit hurt by weakness in its UK electricity transmission business.

Events and publishing company Informa said that revenue grew ‘around’ 40 per cent in the ten-months to October 31, and re-confirmed expectations for the full year.

Rolls Royce said its financial performance for 2017 is on track despite continued weak demand in the offshore oil and gas market.

The engine maker said in a trading update it was making good progress in efforts to turn around its business and that its strategy remained intact.

Satellite company Inmarsat said third quarter revenues lifted almost 5 per cent to $358.3million.

Lloyd’s of London insurer Beazley has increased the expected second-half pretax profit hit from natural catastrophes by $25million to $175million as a result of wildfires in California.

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