Three things you need to know in the financial markets this morning from investment writer, Tony Cross.
Just Eat Takeaway.com
Just Eat Takeaway.com [LON:JET] has published a Q4 trading update this morning. Total orders are up 57%, with delivered orders showing real growth, up 163%. The performance in the UK for the delivery arm has been exceptionally strong with almost five-fold growth being seen compared with the same period in 2019. Full year revenue growth is expected to exceed 50%, but these numbers have undoubtedly been bolstered by the exceptional circumstances of the year. Growth will presumably peter out and as normality returns – and we have a choice of eating in restaurants again – even consolidating the existing position may prove challenging.
William Hill
William Hill [LON:WMH] has published a trading statement for the full year to December 29th. Group net revenue is 16% lower, with lockdowns and the cancellation of sporting fixtures taking a toll on the business. It wasn’t all negative however, with online international revenues growing by 12% and a particularly strong performance being seen in the US where online growth drove revenues up 32%. That will be welcome news for suitor Caesars Group, who are on track to complete the acquisition of William Hill possibly as early as March. Others in the sector are likely to be reassured by this sentiment.
ASOS
Fashion retailer and veritable AIM heavyweight ASOS LON:ASC has published a trading statement covering the final four months of 2020 today. UK retail sales rose 36%, whilst globally the group expanded 23%, figures that the company notes are well ahead of expectations. However, enthusiasm is moderated by the fact that the ongoing impact of COVID 19 is likely to have an economic impact on core 20-something consumers. That means whilst FY21 pre-tax profits may be robust, they are expected to be at the top – rather than above – current market expectations.
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