BT (LSE: BT.A)
There’s a statement out from BT this morning, confirming that the company has signed a three year deal with the Football Association to keep screening Premier League matches. Covering the 2019/20 to 2021/22 seasons, the deal will cost £295m a year – that’s £25m less than it paid in the deal struck three years ago, but comes with 10 fewer games each season.
Coca Cola HBC (LSE: CCH)
Coca Cola HBC (that stands for Hellenic Bottling Company btw) issued its results this morning and markets seem likely to be impressed by the news. A 23% hike in the dividend is being proposed, which is invariably something that will provide a slug of cheer, whilst revenues and profits are all up notably, too. The company is mid-way through a strategic overhaul, whilst the improving global economic picture is also helping – profit growth in emerging markets is particularly notable.
HSS Hire Group (LSE: HSS)
Industrial hire shop network HSS has issued a trading update today, reaffirming its forward guidance and success with its own strategic review. However, this is clearly a competitive business – earnings for the second half of the year are tipped to come in between £8m and £11m, making the current cost-saving plan – which could trim as much as £14m a year from expenses – instrumental for long term success. Investors are being braced to take a £40m hit to fund the changes necessary to deliver the cost savings through such strategies as overhauling equipment closer to the location where it’s rented from. This increases staff costs, but minimises equipment downtime.
