Associated British Foods [LSE: ABF]
There’s a trading update from Primark owners Associated British Foods out this morning. The company owns an eclectic range of brands and businesses, from Twinings tea to Ryvita, as well as AB Sugar, the UK’s only sole sugar producer from sugar beet. Earnings per share are expected to rise this year as lower spending and lower taxes take effect, but there’s been slow progress at Primark. A warm autumn didn’t help sales here although store expansion is driving some sales growth. The company benefits from being diversified across sectors but a slow down a Primark could overshadow matters.
Vodafone Group [LSE: VOD]
Vodafone has issued a statement from the Barcelona World Mobile conference this morning that it is to partner exclusively with Samsung in its launch of smart home services. This is a series of products and services that cover aspects ranging from intruder alerts to managing temperature. The big issue here seems to be a growing number of products being developed that only work on one protocol, potentially holding some consumers back as they worry about investing in the wrong technology.
Hiscox [LSE: HSX]
Insurer Hiscox issued full year results this morning and after what has been a tough year for natural disasters, the company’s profits collapsed in the wake of significant pay outs. However the dividend has been increased and prices for insurance premiums are starting to rise. The company appears to have weathered the storms of 2017 well.
