Ifa News Round-Up
Lloyds FY profit soars, puts aside £450m for motor finance probe
Lloyds Bank on Thursday reported a 57% jump in full-year profits and announced another £2bn share buyback, but also set aside £450m for the regulatory probe into UK motor financing.
Dr Martens shares up as guidance held despite Q3 sales slump
Shares in Dr Martens surged on Thursday as investors breathed a sigh of relief that the UK bootmaker held full year guidance after third-quarter revenues slumped by a fifth, driven by a poor performance in the US and from its wholesale channel.
EasyJet sees H1 losses narrowing despite £40m hit from MEast war
Budget airline easyJet said it had taken a £40m hit from the Middle-East conflict, but said it expected first-half losses to narrow and reported positive booking momentum for the summer.
Crest Nicholson FY profits slump amid tough market; CEO to retire
UK housebuilder Crest Nicholson posted a bigger-than-expected fall in annual profits but said it was encouraged by an increase in customer inquiries as borrowing costs fell, while chief executive Peter Truscott announced he was stepping down to be replaced by Persimmon chief commercial officer Martyn Clark.
FDJ makes €2.6bn offer for Kindred Group
French gambling company La Francaise des Jeux on Monday launched a €2. 6bn takeover bid for Sweden's Kindred Group.
Sainsbury's shares slide on guidance hold, weak merchandise sales
Shares in Sainsbury's fell on Wednesday after a broadly-upbeat Christmas trading update did not include any upgrade to full-year forecasts despite like-for-like sales at the UK supermarket chain rising 7. 4% in the key trading period.
Grifols board to meet as shares tank on Gotham City debt claims
Shares in Grifols plunged by almost a third on Tuesday after Hedge fund Gotham City Research alleged the Spanish drug company's debt ratios were much higher than officially reported, wiping billions off its stock market value.
Petrofac shares surge after contract deal with TenneT
Shares in Petrofac surged on Wednesday after the oilfield services company said it had secured performance guarantee for the first contract awarded under its agreement with Dutch electricity company TenneT.