Three things you need to know in the financial markets today from investment writer, Tony Cross.
#1. Page Group profits surge but hiring times start to slow
There’s a half year update out from recruiters Page Group LON:PAGE, covering the six months to 30th June. Revenues are up by 27% and gross profits by 33%, a solid performance given the ongoing COVID restrictions in some territories plus growing macroeconomic headwinds. The note does however add that the business did see a slowing time to hire in some markets during July, something that could be reflective of the tougher conditions which lie ahead.
#2. Joules: possible investment from Next
There’s a note out this morning from the lifestyle brand Joules LON:JOUL responding to media speculation. This confirms that the company is in discussions with Next to adopt its ecommerce platform and also Next making an investment into the company which would leave it as a significant minority shareholder. There’s no certainty that either of these issues will complete but it arguably offers Joules’ investors some respite.
#3. Good Energy: Zap Map completes £9m funding round
AIM listed Good Energy LON:GOOD has announced that the EV charge point mapping company in which it owns a stake – Zap Map – has completed a £9m series A funding round, including a £3.7m investment from Good Energy. Good Energy’s participation in the round is noted as being in line with its strategy to build a platform which makes it simple for people to generate, share, store, use and travel with clean power. Following this transaction, Good Energy now owns 49.9% of Zap Map.
