Three things you need to know in the financial markets this morning from investment writer, Tony Cross
AO World
Full year results from AO World show the company continuing to make progress, but it’s still failing to turn a profit. Customer numbers and client feedback may well be continuing to grow, whilst product revenues are up by an impressive 13% too, but the basic loss per share has grown from 2.93p to 3.78p. Innovation such as moving into third party logistics and expanding into the mobile telecoms sector is worth cheering but weak consumer demand continues to weigh.
888
There’s a quick trading update out form gaming operator 888, covering the period to 18th May. Group revenues are up 6% on a like for like basis, thanks to gains in sports and casino operations, although poker sales are languishing.
Royal Dutch Shell
There’s a strategy update from Royal Dutch Shell out this morning, with distribution plans to shareholders perhaps being the most eye-opening point. The company says that it intends to return $125 billion or more to investors in the 2021-2025 period, compared with the $52 billion it paid out from 2011 to 2015. Clearly the company remains susceptible to volatility in the underlying oil price but this news has the potential to be well received by investors.
