Proposed Directors of Tirupati Graphite explain why they have requisitioned an GM. 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
8 Jul 2016 13:53

BROKER RATINGS SUMMARY: Schroders Gets Upgrade From Liberum

Read more
20 May 2016 08:39

Lack of mid-season sale leads to improved profit at Moss Bros

(ShareCast News) - Menswear retailer Moss Bros reported a 3.3% rise in total sales in the 15 weeks to 14 May on Friday, as investors gathered for the annual general meeting, with like-for-like sales up 5%. The company's retail sales climbed 5.1% during the period, with hire sales growing 4.7%. Of t

Read more
20 May 2016 06:52

Moss Bros Confident On Full Year As Trading In 2016 So Far Improves

Read more
13 May 2016 15:03

AGM, EGM Calendar - Week Ahead

Read more
5 Apr 2016 11:09

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Weak Services PMIs Widen Oil-Led Equities Losses

Read more
5 Apr 2016 08:03

Moss Bros full year profit up 23%

(ShareCast News) - Specialist menswear retailer Moss Bros posted a rise in full year profit and sounded an upbeat note on current trading. In its preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 30 January, Moss Bros said underlying pre-tax profit rose 23.1% from the previous year to £5.9m. Like-for-like sa

Read more
5 Apr 2016 07:33

Strong Moss Bros Results, Dividend Hike Suit Investors As Shares Rise

Read more
4 Apr 2016 13:31

Tuesday preview: Moss Bros' online offering in focus as it reports full year results

(ShareCast News) - Moss Bros Group reports its 2015 preliminary results on Tuesday with analysts expecting an increase in earnings compared to the previous year. The City has pencilled in full year pre-tax profits of £5.8m, up from £4.8m in 2014. Revenue is forecast to rise to £123.1m from £114.7 th

Read more
29 Mar 2016 15:11

Earnings, Trading Statements Calendar - Week Ahead

Read more
19 Feb 2016 08:57

Moss Bros appoints new FD and COO

(ShareCast News) - Specialist menswear retailer Moss Bros has appointed Tony Bennett as group finance director and Paula Minowa as chief operating officer. Bennett, currently the FD at Charles Tyrwhitt, will take over the role from Robin Piggott, who announced his intention to retire in September.

Read more
19 Feb 2016 07:58

Moss Bros Appoints New Finance Director And Chief Operating Officer

Read more
26 Jan 2016 07:38

Restaurant Group Names Debbie Hewitt As Next Chairman

Read more
14 Jan 2016 10:13

Moss Bros sales grow despite challenging autumn

(ShareCast News) - Formal menswear specialist Moss Bros reported a rise in sales for the 23 weeks from 2 August to 9 January, as its promotional strategy offset a challenging trading environment in autumn. Like-for-like sales were up 4.2% on the previous year, while total sales for the period were 4

Read more
14 Jan 2016 08:43

Moss Bros Reports Successful Eveningwear Season Despite Warm Weather

Read more
7 Jan 2016 16:05

Earnings, Trading Statements Calendar - Week Ahead

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.