Gin sales boost Diageo profits July 25, 2019 Guinness owner Diageo saw profits rise last year driven by sales of its Gordon’s and Tanqueray gin. The figures Net sales increased 5.8 per cent to £12.9bn and operating profit soared 9.5 per cent to £4bn, driven by organic growth. Net cash from operating activities was £3.2bn, up £164m. Earnings per share increased by 7.4 [...]
Harry, Meghan and the case for shared parental leave May 8, 2019 While the parents of the new royal baby might be exempt from a traditional nine to five job, it’s no surprise that their first-born child will still have a massive impact on their ability to fulfil royal duties. A member of the royal family is in a better position than others to spend time with [...]
UK’s biggest companies pull away as profits for rest of pack plunge May 8, 2019 Average profits at the UK’s 40 biggest companies rose by 11 per cent in the first quarter of the year while those outside the group saw a fall of 18 per cent, new analysis has shown, laying bare a stark division in the fortunes of British companies. Read more: 'Zombie firms' dragging down UK economy, [...]
Nine UK shares that tick all of Warren Buffett’s boxes March 26, 2019 | City Talk By Kyle Caldwell from interactive investor. Looking for equity-based ISA inspiration? We run through the investment checklist of the Berkshire Hathaway chairman to identify UK shares that pass his stockpicking rules. American investor Warren Buffett is to the world of investment what Lionel Messi is to football: the greatest of his generation in the profession [...]
Despite 2018’s woes, could the year of the pig be a sign of good fortune for Chinese equities? February 5, 2019 Chinese stock markets were dogged with problems last year – pretty fitting given that it was the year of the dog. The country grappled with slower growth, a mountain of debt, and a trade war with the US, creating a tough environment for Chinese equities. The MSCI China index slumped by 14 per cent in [...]
Drinks giant Diageo boosts sales and profits January 31, 2019 Drinks conglomerate Diageo boosted both profit and sales in the first-half of its financial year and announced a £660m share buyback. The maker of drink brands such as Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky, said net sales increased 5.8 per cent to £6.9bn with organic growth partially offset by unfavourable exchange. Reported operating profit was [...]
Diageo looks to key American market as it hopes price hikes will raise spirits January 27, 2019 Drinks giant Diageo will be hoping for a strong performance in the US when it reveals its results later this week, with price hikes expected to boost margins. The British brewer, whose brands include Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, will be eyeing a boost in sales of vodka and whiskey in the crucial North American [...]
Brexit, ad fraud and #MeToo – what does the future year hold for the marketing industry? January 7, 2019 We are out of the cold December of 2018, and have now entered the, well, even colder January of 2019. Last year was a momentous one for the marketing industry – there was the fall and rise again of adland stalwart Martin Sorrell; the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) finally came into force; [...]
Mark Kleinman: Come in Houston, just as UK audit reforms bite December 14, 2018 Talk about a hospital pass. Richard Houston, Deloitte’s consulting chief, might be forgiven for feeling a bit like Theresa May this week. Houston’s is the solitary name on a ballot open to partners at the Big Four accountancy firm’s UK operation as it seeks to elect a successor to David Sproul, its chief executive for [...]