Three key news stories unfolding as the UK stock market opens. Check out our companies reporting diary for upcoming results from FTSE 350 and selected international stocks.
1. Next shareholders to cash in from land disposal
There’s a short but compelling note out from Next LON:NXT this morning who have advised of the disposal of an unused plot of land on the outskirts of London. The asset sale has realised proceeds of £54m generating an exceptional profit of £16m. The policy of returning surplus cash to shareholders means this could increase any special dividend by a further 45p per share.
2. FY profits at easyJet take off, tailwinds supporting forward bookings
Budget airline easyJet [LON:EZY] issued full year results this morning, noting a 9% increase in pre-tax profits, a significant improvement in the cash balance sheet and news that the mid-term profit target for easyJet holidays had been achieved earlier than had been expected.
Forward flight bookings for H1 ’26 are marginally better than the comparative position, whilst average selling prices for holidays is up by high single digits. The medium term outlook is seen as even more promising as smaller aircraft are retired.
3. Profit upgrade at Kingfisher despite broader market weakness
Good news for Kingfisher LON:KGF shareholders this morning after the company published a Q3 trading update. This included news that sales in the dominant UK market were up 4.2% despite softening market conditions. Other territories haven’t fared as well but this combined with cost and margin discipline means management have upgraded full year pre-tax profits to £540m-£570m from previous guidance of £480m-£540m.
Comments (0)