Expert views
Commentary submitted by Dan Coatsworth in their own words.
Back to profileITV hopes for World Cup boost as it remains in ‘active’ talks over Sky TV deal
While it’s impossible to say why talks are dragging on, one can only speculate it is disagreement about price.
Burberry returns to profit as turnaround bears fruit
Combined with tighter control of the purse strings, Burberry has found the recipe for a return to profit with its full-year results.
Intertek set to accept higher £9.4bn approach from Swedish bidder
Having batted away bids from EQT faster than a fly swatter, Intertek has now changed its tune following another increased offer.
M&S buys Asos warehouse amid plans to double online sales
It’s a win-win situation for both Marks & Spencer and ASOS, even though they both compete in the same space.
Shell under fire over ‘outrageous’ profits after boost from soaring oil prices
Shell’s first quarter profits beat expectations at $6.9 billion.
British Gas owner buys gas-fired power station for £370m for energy ‘security’
The infrastructure division, which benefits directly from buoyant energy markets, is expected to do better than previously guided.
JD Sports cautions that Iran war could weigh on profits and push up prices
Regis Schultz’s description of JD’s full-year results as being a ‘resilient performance’ seems generous in the context of a 12 per cent decline in pre-tax profit.
Cheers for Diageo as some fizz returns to sales and shares lift 5% in early trade
Diageo used to flog Guinness with the advertising slogan ‘Good things come to those who wait’.
Vodafone to buy CK Hutchison out of VodafoneThree venture for £4.3bn
Vodafone is to buy out its partner on the VodafoneThree joint venture in a £4.3 billion deal.
HSBC profits worse than forecast after jump in bad debt provisions
HSBC’s exposure to faster growing developing economies brings extra growth potential but there are risks too, and the Iran conflict has prompted meaningful impairments alongside first-quarter results.
Aston Martin secures £50m financing as it posts another loss
Aston Martin’s time as a public company has been more Johnny English than James Bond.
Lloyds earnings jump by a third but UK economic outlook worsens
On paper, Lloyds’ first-quarter results smashed it out of the park but caution about the immediate outlook helped keep a lid on investor enthusiasm.