Market Pulse
Aggressive expansion drives growth at The Gym Group
Low-cost fitness club operator The Gym Group issued its pre-close trading update for the year ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting that total year-end membership numbers rose 19. 3% to 724,000, with average members ahead 31. 2% at 693,000.
Derek Harding to succeed Clive Watson as Spectris CFO
Spectris said on Tuesday that Clive Watston had decided to retire from his role as group finance director after 12 years and will be replaced by Derek Harding, the former FD of Senior.
Kape Technologies performs 'strongly' even as revenues decline
Consumer security software business Kape Technologies updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting that it performed “strongly” in the year following initiatives both to grow its product offering and user base, and to generate higher-margin recurring revenues.
International business drives quarterly growth at Hays
Recruitment and human resources specialist Hays updated the market on its trading for the quarter ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting growth of 9%, or 8% when adjusted for working days, which it said was driven by 11% growth in its international businesses.
London open: Miners gain on China stimulus as May braces for defeat
London stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday, with miners leading the charge as investors welcomed Beijing's latest pledge to support the economy, but Brexit-related jitters could take hold at any moment ahead of the Commons vote on Theresa May's deal.
Big Yellow turns in decent third quarter performance
Self storage company Big Yellow Group updated the market on its trading for the third quarter ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting closing occupancy of 81. 1% - an increase of 1. 4 percentage points over the same time last year.
Games Workshop H1 profits rise, special divi announced
Games Workshop posted a jump in first-half revenue and profit on Tuesday as it declared a special dividend.
Savills sees FY in line with expectations despite heightened uncertainty
Savills said on Tuesday that underlying results for the year to the end of December 2018 should be in line with the board's expectations, but added that transaction volumes are expected to drop in a number of markets amid Brexit uncertainty.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up on Beijing support as May braces for big defeat
London stocks were set for a positive open on Tuesday, taking their cue from an upbeat session in Asia after Beijing promised to step up its efforts to support the economy, as investors eyed the Commons vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Carillion, Barclays execs, Ophir, Capita
Trade unions have accused the government of failing to learn lessons from the collapse of Carillion, instead pumping even more money into outsourcing companies, a year on from the firm’s high-profile demise. The lifetime value of outsourcing contracts awarded in 2017-18 “rocketed” by 53% from £62bn to £95bn in the past year, according to the GMB union, which pointed to nearly £2bn in contracts awarded to Capita and Interserve despite both issuing profit warnings.