Finsbury Food Group FIF claims it produced a strongly resilient performance in the year to 1st July, as it faced the challenges of a deflationary market which saw group like for like revenue remain flat. A final dividend of 2p per share is to be paid making a total of 3p for the year, a rise of 7.1%.. Sales and profit margins both increased and on a like for like basis adjusted profit before tax rose by 5.6%. The competitive success of the company is illustrated by a 15% rise in sales to continental Europe.
Dairy Crest DCG expects that profit for the half year to 30th September will be ahead of last year after Clover and Frylight showed strong volume growth and Cathedral City remained “the nations favourite cheese”. Problems remained with Country Life as sales volume was impacted by reduced promotional activity to try and mitigate the high price of cream. Seems a bit illogical to try and save money by reducing sales.
Hiscox HSX expects Hurricane Harvey will produce claims of some US$150m. which is within the range expected from a major hurricane. It is anticipated that 2017 will be a bad year for natural disasters. Harvey was the first major hurricane to hit landfall for 12 years and the aim is to pay claims quickly. Premiums, after a long period of decline, are expected to stabilise and then ti start increasing.
Petra Diamonds PDL Net profit after tax slumped by 69% for the year to 30th June as finances were impacted by delays in the expansion programme, the strength of the Rand against the dollar and rising costs, despite revenue for the year having rise by 11% on volume up by 8%. Basic earnings per share fell from 10.38 cents to 3.47cents. Net debt which is expected to start falling from the second half of 2018, rose from US$382m. to US$553m and lenders have agreed since the year end to waive two covenants. The signs for 2018 do not appear to be all that sparkling as like for like diamond prices fell by 3% at the first tender of the year.
MP Evans MPE is doubling its interim dividend after operating profit for the six months to 30th June more than tripled, following a 56% rise in crude palm oil production, at the same time as prices enjoyed a 10% rise. Crops rose by 26% as young trees began to mature.
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