The analysts see “limited evidence of interest” for a BT Sport sale
BT’s share price has rebounded after what was a reasonable initial reaction to the telecoms group’s dividend cut and capex raise last May, plus an unreasonable inclusion of telecoms companies in the wider FTSE sell-off last year.
The recovery since then was “a logical reversal of fortunes”, Deutsche analysts said, but they are “increasingly concerned” about the recent enthusiasm about the government’s planned tax super deductions, regulator Ofcom’s market review, (“regulatory easing is not much good when infra competition is on its way”), the departure of chairman Jan du Plessis and speculation around the sale of BT Sport.
13 May 2021 | 08:39am
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was under pressure in early trade Thursday, weighed down by a rout in US markets a day earlier, amid growing inflation worries.
The FTSE 100 was down 1.50% to 6,899.85 at 08:41.
Telecoms giant BT s share price fell 3.3% to 163.40p as it reported a fall in annual profit. Revenue was hurt by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its consumer and enterprise businesses, the company said.
For the year through March 2021, pre-tax profit fell 23% to £1,804 million year-on-year as revenue slipped 7% to £21,331 million.
High-end fashion retailer Burberry resumed its full-year dividend after reporting a jump in profit as margins improved amid an accelerated recovery and a strong final quarter of the year.
BT puts itself on a high fibre diet
Has BT turned a corner? A more sensible dividend policy, a willingness to seek partners in its Openreach business and progress on the pension deficit are all causes for optimism. Turning a corner?
If BT Group PLC (LON:BT.A) ever contemplates one of those trendy name changes, False Dawn PLC might be a good choice.
With today’s flurry of announcements, however, there is a sense that the heavily indebted telecoms giant might be about to turn a corner.
Why so?
A sale of a stake in Openreach looks more likely
FTSE 100 loses 2% as inflation fears unnerve investors and oil firms fall
Companies
FTSE 100 loses 2% as inflation fears unnerve investors and oil firms fall
The UK blue chip index stabilises but still shows heavy fall as concerns about pricing pressures grip global markets
FTSE 100 slumps 142 points
Commodity companies under pressure
12.12pm: Shell and BP slide
A fall in the price of oil is also undermining the market - ironic given that it is fears of rising inflation that is doing much of the damage to sentiment at the moment.
After recent gains Brent crude is down 2.71% at $67.44 a barrel, partly due to concerns about the current violence between Israel and Palestine.