Updates from Burberry, JD Sports and Bunzl

Updated
savings, tax, stockmarket, pensions, cash, investment FTSE 100, Burberry, JD Sports, Bunzl
savings, tax, stockmarket, pensions, cash, investment FTSE 100, Burberry, JD Sports, Bunzl

An 11-point rise for the FTSE 100 on Tuesday, taking it to 7,075.2. Weir Group and Anglo American were the main climbers, surging 5% and 4% respectively (to 1880p and 1039.50p). BHP Billiton also climbed sharply, up 3% to 1459p. Shire though tumbled 2.5% to 5535p as did Aberdeen Asset Management (to 493.80p). BA owner IAG also was hit, down 3.2% to 595.50p.

The Dow Jones, Stateside, climbed almost 60 points to 18,036.7 with Chevron up more than 2.2% thanks in part to higher oil prices. Gains elsewhere were thinner on the ground.

We start with macs-to-bags-to-fragrance player Burberry. In a second-half trading update the fashion player claims revenues of £1.4bn, up 9% underlying, with double-digit growth in Americas and EMEIA.

However there was was low single-digit growth in Asia Pacific, with further deceleration in Hong Kong. Digital, online sale outperformed in all regions. Licensing revenue came in at £33m, up 3% underlying and consistent with full year guidance Burberry claims.

"We anticipate external challenges," says CEO Christopher Bailey, "will continue in the current year, but remain confident in our long-term strategy to build the Burberry brand and business globally."

We move onto a full-year update from JD Sports. Total revenues surge 25% to £1.5bn while profits leap 18% to £90m. Like-for-like Christmas sales climbed 12%.

But Outdoor sales had a more difficult second half following a mild autumn and winter admits the company. Sector-wide promotional activity continues as the resulting imbalance of stocks in the trade is dealt with it says.

"The Board," says exec chairman Peter Cowgill, "continues to believe that the Group is well positioned to exploit successfully the opportunities that exist for continued profitable growth."

Lastly, distribution and outsourcing operator Bunzl says group revenue in the first quarter increased 6% compared to the same period last year principally due to 2% underlying growth and the positive impact of acquisitions.

Bunzl also says it has entered into an agreement to acquire a business in Turkey and has completed three further acquisitions in Canada and the Netherlands.

"Based in Istanbul, Turkey, the business [it has acquired] is principally engaged in the sale of a variety of personal protection equipment to both end users and other distributors throughout Turkey. Revenue in 2014 was TRY94.0 million."

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