12 January 2021 | 07:39am
StockMarketWire.com - Miniature wargames maker Games Workshop reported a jump in first-half profit as revenue rose on strength in its trade and online divisions.
For the six months to 29 November 2020, pre-tax profit rose to £91.6 million from £58.6 million year-on-year as revenue grew to £186.8 million from £148.4 million.
Trade achieved growth of 33% as the net number of trade outlets increased by 200 accounts to 5,100, helping drive forward sales, the company said.
Online sales grew by 87% compared to the same period last year.
Gross margin was up 6% to 75% in the period as a direct result of increasing volumes, offset by the costs of new facilities, it added.
12 January 2021 | 16:45pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was off its lows for the day but still down 0.65% to 6,754.11 by the close as investors fretted about the pandemic.
The S&P 500 was a smidge lower by 4.30pm UK time, trading down 0.78 points at 3,798.72.
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher added 1.8% to 284.6p on announcing that it was comfortable with the top end of current market expectations for its annual pre-tax profit as strong demand continued.
Housebuilder Vistry surrendered earlier gains to trade down 0.2% to 948p, having guided for a full-year profit at the upper end of forecasts and resumption of dividends with a modest final payout.