Cobus Loots, CEO of Pan African Resources, on delivering sector-leading returns for shareholders. Watch the video here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksMOSB.L Share News (MOSB)

  • There is currently no data for MOSB

Watchlists are a member only feature

Login to your account

Alerts are a premium feature

Login to your account

FTSE retreats as more drama hits UK retail

Wed, 21st Mar 2018 10:39

(For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikonnews window)

* FTSE 100 down 0.4 pct

* Retail stocks lead losses

* Moss Bros sinks 20 pct after profit warning

* Kingfisher bottom of FTSE 100

* FTSE 350 Retailers index lowest since Brexit

By Tom Pfeiffer

LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) - British shares fell onWednesday as Kingfisher and Moss Bros piledmore bad news on a UK retail industry reeling from the surge ine-commerce.

Share declines accelerated after data showed Britishworkers' pay had risen at the fastest pace in nearly two and ahalf years. That pushed up the value of the pound and hit sharesin big multinationals and exporters.

Any end to the long squeeze on UK household incomes was notshowing through in the retail industry on Wednesday, however.

Formal clothing chain Moss Bros lost a fifth of its marketvalue after a profit warning it blamed on supply chain problemsand fewer customers in its stores. Home improvement chainKingfisher also reported a recent deterioration in trading.

The FTSE 100 index was down 0.53 percent at 1028GMT, with Kingfisher falling 8 percent to its lowest level sinceNovember. Among other retailers, clothing chain Next wasdown 1.2 percent and Primark owner ABF fell 1.1 percent.

After holding steady in January and February, UK retailershares have tumbled 9 percent this month, outpacinga 3 percent drop in the wider FTSE 350 index. The retailindex is at its lowest since the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

Underscoring the increasing power of online retail, U.S.ecommerce giant Amazon overtook Google owner Alphabetby market value on Tuesday.

Multinationals such as BAT, Diageo andUnilever helped pull down the FTSE as the pound rose0.4 percent against the dollar following the wage growthnumbers.

Morgan Stanley strategists had been forecasting strong datathat would pave the way for the Bank of England to deliver ahawkish statement when it meets on Thursday.

"It has been well established that a number of Bank ofEngland officials are expecting wages to start outstrippingheadline inflation in the coming months, and a strong averageearnings number today could well reinforce that narrative, andraise expectations of a move on rates in May, irrespective ofyesterday’s softening in headline CPI," said Michael Hewson,Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets UK.

Investors were also awaiting the conclusion of a U.S.Federal Reserve meeting for signals on the pace of expectedinterest rate rises.(Reporting by Tom Pfeiffer, Editing by Helen Reid)

More News
22 May 2020 11:07

Moss Bros to contest Brigadier's latest attempt to scrap takeover

(Sharecast News) - Moss Bros said it would oppose Brigadier's attempt to scrap its £22.6m bid for the clothing retailer after the UK's takeover regulator allowed Brigadier to appeal against its ruling.

Read more
19 May 2020 18:58

UK Takeover Panel Rules Brigadier Not Allowed Out Of Moss Bros Deal

UK Takeover Panel Rules Brigadier Not Allowed Out Of Moss Bros Deal

Read more
12 May 2020 11:10

Moss Bros Affirms Cash Position As It Reopens E-Commerce Arm

Moss Bros Affirms Cash Position As It Reopens E-Commerce Arm

Read more
12 May 2020 09:48

Menswear specialist Moss Bros to restart online operations

(Sharecast News) - Men's formalwear specialist Moss Bros will reopen its online operations from Wednesday.

Read more
23 Apr 2020 14:09

Moss Bros Sale Timing Unchanged Despite Brigadier's Hopes To Exit Deal

Moss Bros Sale Timing Unchanged Despite Brigadier's Hopes To Exit Deal

Read more
23 Apr 2020 13:57

Moss Bros to hold sale vote after buyer reneges

(Sharecast News) - Moss Bros said it was pressing forward with a shareholder vote on its ?22.6m sale after the buyers reneged on the deal amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Read more
22 Apr 2020 09:56

Moss Bros buyers try to pull out of takeover

(Sharecast News) - The £23m sale of Moss Bros is under threat after the private investors making the acquisition attempted to back out amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Read more
22 Apr 2020 09:41

Moss Bros Shares Slump As Brigadier Sounds Retreat On Acquisition

Moss Bros Shares Slump As Brigadier Sounds Retreat On Acquisition

Read more
23 Mar 2020 14:08

Moss Bros Sees Significant Earnings Hit From Virus, Shuts Stores

Moss Bros Sees Significant Earnings Hit From Virus, Shuts Stores

Read more
23 Mar 2020 09:02

Moss Bros warns on profits as it closes stores due to Covid-19

(Sharecast News) - Moss Bros warned on profits on Monday as it announced the closure of its stores amid the Covid-19 outbreak, adding that it would take even more of a hit if Ascot does not go ahead.

Read more
18 Mar 2020 15:58

UK Earnings, Trading Statements Calendar - Next 7 Days

UK Earnings, Trading Statements Calendar - Next 7 Days

Read more
12 Mar 2020 12:03

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Virus Fears Push FTSE 100 To Multi-Year Lows

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Virus Fears Push FTSE 100 To Multi-Year Lows

Read more
12 Mar 2020 10:33

Moss Bros Accepts GBP23 Million Takeover From Owner Of Crew Clothing

Moss Bros Accepts GBP23 Million Takeover From Owner Of Crew Clothing

Read more
12 Mar 2020 08:49

Moss Bros to go private in £22.6m cash deal

(Sharecast News) - Moss Bros has agreed to be bought for £22.6m in cash by a group of private investors led by Menoshi Shina, the US-based owner of Crew Clothing.

Read more
12 Feb 2020 17:55

Income & Growth VCT Names Maurice Helfgott As Chair Designate

Income & Growth VCT Names Maurice Helfgott As Chair Designate

Read more

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.