Updates from ITV, SABMiller and Ted Baker
The Big Board lost a little momentum on Wednesday, giving up 16 points to 6,611. Capita was the biggest FTSE 100 loser, down more than 6.5% to 1048p as investors fretted about its job pipeline. AberdeenAssetManagement also had a bad day, down more than 4.2% to 426.90p. In contrast, TullowOil saw some upwards movement, clawing back 2.20% to 492.80p; G4S shares also climbed strongly, up more than 2% to 270p.
The Dow Jones continued to hold steady, ending at 17,612.2 with Nike and Visa the biggest risers.
We start with a drink or two: six month numbers from SABMiller. The Grolsch and Peroni maker claims "resilient" top line growth powered by Africa and Latin America businesses, but impacted by weaker second quarter trading conditions in China and Australia. Adjusted profits pre tax are 2% up at $2,935m.
SABMiller claims organic, group net producer revenue (NPR) growth of 5%, with group NPR up 3% driven by pricing and 'premiumisation' initiatives. Total beverage volumes grew by 1% on an organic basis, but lager volumes bubble 1% lower.
"We are well-placed," says boss Alan Clark, "to capture future top line growth opportunities in both emerging and developed markets and are making good initial progress on our plan to realise US$500 million from operational efficiencies and cost savings."
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We move onto some telly - ITV - for a nine-month update. Total external revenues climb 8% to £1,803m (2013: £1,664m) while Broadcast & Online revenues rise 7% to £1,432m (2013: £1,342m) helped strong growth in Online, Pay & Interactive, up 24%.
ITV Studios revenues rise 10%, driven by acquisitions and it claims it's on track to deliver £15m of cost savings over the full year. It claims it's still confident of delivering a year of double digit profit growth.
"Our Broadcast business," says boss Adam Crozier, "has performed strongly with advertising revenues up 6% in the first nine months. We expect to be up around 5% over the full year, well ahead of the UK television advertising market and our best outperformance of the market for five years."
Lastly, a trip to the shops withTed Baker. The Brit lifestyle brand claims a 15.7% increase in Group revenue for the 13 week period 10 August to 8 November. Retail sales for the period increased 12.7% (14.7% in constant currency) and average retail square footage rose 9.5% to 329,321 sq.ft (2013: 300,766 sq.ft).
"We have been pleased with the performance in our established territories, and we continue to invest in newer markets," the company says. Its e-commerce business saw a 34.6% lift, part-reflecting the migration of its US site to a new platform in the summer.
Wholesale sales for the period increased 24.7% (25.4% in constant currency). "We anticipate Group wholesale sales," adds the company, "for the full year to be around 20% ahead of last year on a reported basis."
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