Fidelity Top Stories
Centrica posts fall in annual profit on lower energy prices
British Gas owner Centrica posted a fall in annual profits on the back of “sharply lower” commodity prices.
Dunelm rewards shareholders as H1 profits, sales rise
UK furniture and homewares chain Dunelm lifted its dividend and declared a special payout after a rise in interim profits and sales amid volatile trading conditions.
Tesco sells most of banking unit to Barclays for £600m
UK supermarket giant Tesco has sold its most of its retail banking business to Barclays for £600m, the two companies said on Friday.
Unilever returns to volume growth; Unveils €1.75bn buyback
Consumer goods giant Unilever announced a €1. 5bn share buyback as it reported a return to volume growth in the final quarter of 2023, although the result was described as "disappointing" by its chief executive.
China deflation accelerates in January as demand stagnates
Deflation in China accelerated at its fastest pace in 15 years, as weak demand continued to hamper Communist Party efforts to bolster the struggling economy.
Barratt to take over Redrow in £2.5bn all-share deal
Britain's biggest housebuilder Barratt said it had agreed an all-share takeover of smaller rival Redrow valuing the latter at £2. 5bn.
German Dec industrial production falls unexpectedly
German industrial production fell more than expected in December, down 1. 6%, compared with expectations of a 0. 4% decline, increasing the risk of a downward revision to fourth-quarter GDP.
Vodafone struggles in Italy, Germany, but holds guidance
Telecoms giant Vodafone held full-year guidance as it reported a fall in third-quarter service revenues, driven largely by declines in Germany.
U.S. consumer confidence jumps in January, University of Michigan says
Americans were noticeably more confident last month regarding the economy and the inflation outlook, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
U.S. jobs and wages grow twice as fast as forecast in January
The U. S. jobs market was on fire at the turn of the year with both hiring and wage gains nearly doubling forecasts.
Eurozone inflation moves lower in January, despite jump in food prices
Eurozone inflation cooled a tad less than expected at the start of 2024.
BT Group sees FY in line despite flat Q3 earnings
BT Group reiterated annual guidance as it reported flat adjusted earnings for the third quarter and a rise in revenues driven by higher prices.