Grafton Group Share News (GFTU)

London close: Stocks firmer as US payrolls beat forecasts

(Sharecast News) - London's financial markets closed positively on Friday as investors digested the latest non-farm payrolls report out of the United States.

IN BRIEF: Grafton extends share buyback programme length and value

Grafton Group PLC - Dublin-based building materials distributor and DIY store chain operator - Opts to extend its existing share buyback programme for a further five months to May 31 from January 31, and to increase the maximum value to GBP100 million from GBP50 million. This now takes the maximum number of shares that can be repurchased to around 15.7 million. The programme otherwise remains under the same terms as previously announced at the end of August. Says it will make further announcements in "due course" following any buy back of shares.

LONDON BROKER RATINGS: Deutsche likes Compass; Numis cuts Elementis

(Alliance News) - The following London-listed shares received analyst recommendations Wednesday morning and Tuesday:

Grafton keeps profit on track with cost control amid weaker demand

(Alliance News) - Grafton Group PLC on Tuesday confirmed its annual profit will be in line with market expectations, as cost cuts amplify a small rise in revenue.

Grafton on track to meet FY profit expectations

(Sharecast News) - Building materials distributor and DIY retailer Grafton said on Tuesday that it was on track to deliver full-year operating profit in line with expectations, as it reported an uptick in revenue despite "slightly softer than anticipated" market conditions in September and October.

IN BRIEF: Grafton promotes Hays's Susan Murray to senior director

Grafton Group PLC - Dublin-headquartered building materials supplier and DIY retailer - Non-Executive Director Susan Murray will succeed Hampden Smith as senior independent director at the conclusion of its annual general meeting in 2024. Smith will step down from the board after "almost nine years". Murray is also a non-executive director of Hays PLC, and was formerly a non-executive director at Mitchells & Butlers PLC and Compass Group PLC. From 1992 to 1998 she was chief executive officer of the Pierre Smirnoff Co, part of Diageo PLC. Grafton also hires Mark Robson as a non-executive director, effective December 1, to succeed Smith as chair of its Audit & Risk Committee.

UK dividends calendar - next 7 days

LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Europe closes mixed ahead of US inflation data

(Alliance News) - European equities closed mixed on Wednesday, pausing for breath after convincing gains on Tuesday, with a sell-off of luxury retail shares hurting the mood, while a hotter-than-expected US producer price reading did little to soothe lingering inflation worries.

UK dividends calendar - next 7 days

Grafton notes Chadwicks to buy Rooneys Homevalue for undisclosed sum

(Alliance News) - Grafton Group PLC on Thursday said that its subsidiary Chadwicks has entered into an agreement to buy Rooneys Homevalue Ltd, a distributor of building materials.

Grafton buys Rooneys Homevalue for undisclosed sum

(Sharecast News) - Building materials distributor and DIY retailer Grafton Group said its Chadwicks unit was buying Rooneys Homevalue for an undisclosed sum.

IN BRIEF: Grafton CFO's wife sells GBP73,500 in company shares

Grafton Group PLC - Dublin-headquartered building materials supplier and DIY retailer - Caroline Arnold, wife of Chief Financial Officer David Arnold, sells 8,217 shares at a price of 895.09 pence each on Monday. Total aggregate value is GBP73,549.

IN BRIEF: Grafton defends environmental, gender efforts after AGM vote

Grafton Group PLC - Dublin-headquartered building materials supplier and DIY retailer - Says consultation with shareholders following its annual general meeting in May shows some are concerned about Grafton's record on environmental protection and gender diversity. Consultation was launched after 21% of shareholders voted against the re-election of Michael Roney as non-executive chair.

UK construction tough but buying opportunities exist, says Berenberg

(Sharecast News) - Broker Berenberg expects the UK construction market to flatline in 2024 before returning to growth, and highlighted a number of key buying opportunities for investors.

TOP NEWS: Grafton ups returns despite 30% fall in interim profit

(Alliance News) - Grafton Group PLC on Thursday said profit fell in the first half of 2023, but it increased its interim dividend and launched a new share buyback, having just completed one.