LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - British clothing retailer Next met its latest guidance with a 5 percent rise in annual profit but cautioned 2016 could be the toughest it has faced since 2008 as it anticipates a more difficult economic environment. Next, which trades from more than 500 shops i
Read more(ShareCast News) - London stocks were set to open weaker on Thursday following downbeat cues from the US and Asia, as a stronger dollar hits commodity prices. The FTSE 100 is seen starting 40 points lower than Wednesday's close at 6,159. "The rebound in the US dollar along with a sharp drop in the
Read more(ShareCast News) - Full year profits from Next were at the upper end of expectations but the clothing retailer warned the year ahead could be the toughest since 2008, with new guidance that includes the possibility that profits could decline as much as 4.5%. Total group sales rose by 3% to £4.1bn as
Read more(ShareCast News) - Fashion retailer Next expects to report an increase in full year pre-tax profit on Thursday. In a pre-close statement in January, the company guided towards annual pre-tax profit between £810m to £824m, marking a 3.6-5.4% rise on the previous year's £782m. At the time, the compan
Read more(ShareCast News) - Rolls-Royce has put forward detailed proposals to the government to fill some of the UK's power shortage with a fleet of small reactors built around the company's expertise in generating power for Royal Navy submarines. With the escalating costs and timing of the £18bn Hinkley Poi
Read more* Full-year pretax profit up 18.6 pct * Company opened stores in Azerbaijan, Mexico, Qatar * Initial reaction to spring/summer collections "positive" * Raises total dividend to 47.8 pence (Adds finance director comments, details, share price) By Aastha Agnihotri Ma
Read more* FY 2015 underlying operating loss 4.7 mln stg * Co cites "poor performance" of spring, summer collections * Co brings back FCUK logo, makes two appointments * Shares slump as much as 11.7 pct (Adds details, comments, updates share price) By Aastha Agnihotri March
Read more** Investec analysts point to 5 key issues - weaker consumer demand, sterling weakness, labour cost pressure, change in trade terms, and the basis on which investment decisions are made ** But none of these issue are new to the UK retail industry, which the analysts see as better placed tha
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