17 March 2021 | 16:37pm
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 closed down 0.6% to 6,762.67 as bond market jitters returned ahead of a key meeting of the US Federal Reserve. By 4.30pm UK time the US S&P 500 index was itself down 0.4% to 3,945.39.
Any sign that the Fed might ease off on its dovish stance on interest rates would indicate the US economy was on the mend, but could spook markets grown accustomed to an abundance of cheap credit.
Fantasy miniatures group Games Workshop fell 7.3% to £94.35 after a brief update which confirmed a dividend payment to shareholders but said trading would be in line subject to notwithstanding store closures and distribution disruption .
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 | 08:36am
StockMarketWire.com - UK stocks tracked sideways in early trade on Tuesday as fears about the economic impact of a third nationwide Covid-19 lockdown were tempered by a bevvy of company earnings upgrades.
At 0824, the benchmark FTSE 100 index had inched 2.04 points, or less than 0.1%, lower to 6,796.44.
Home improvement retailer Kingfisher added 3.5% to 289.2p on announcing that it was comfortable with the top end of current market expectations for its annual pre-tax profit as strong demand continued.
House builder Vistry rallied 3.6% to 984.5p, having guided for a full-year profit at the upper end of forecasts and resumption of dividends with a modest final payout.
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.