Whatever else may be said for globalisation, it has certainly forced the hand of many companies. For the current expansion of global trade links has been accompanied by the rise of digitalisation, leading to a Darwinian imperative: either adapt or die. No where is this more obvious than in mass media, a point borne out by our latest Boardroom Talk podcast, in which IC Companies Editor Ian Smith gets the lowdown from UBM’s (UBM) chief executive Tim Cobbold. Click here to get an insight into the group's evolution
Shareholders in Restaurant Group (REST) were left with a bad case of indigestion during the final quarter of 2016, marked by a 16 per cent decline in market value. There are signs, however, that the remedial measures undertaken by the hospitality group in the face of dwindling customer numbers – including the closure of 33 restaurants - have been embraced by the market in the early part of this year. Alas, news reaches us of the sudden departure of the group’s chief financial officer. Click here to read if the IC’s news editor Emma Powell thinks this will sour investor sentiment.
Eddie Stobart (ESL) has made its way back onto the London Stock Exchange via the biggest flotation on London’s junior market this year - a fully-subscribed initial public offering at 160p a share that valued it at £573m. The IPO has attracted the attention of heavyweight backers like AXA and Invesco, but how does the IC’s Alex Newman view prospects for the iconic logistics firm? Click here for Alex’s initial thoughts on the subject.
Headline figures for Lok'n Store (LOK) give a distorted view on performance at the half-year mark, according to IC property guru Jonas Crosland. Our man believes that underlying demand for the company’s self-storage systems remains as strong as ever, reflected in the double-digit gain from our Dec 2016 buy call. Click here to read the thoughts of our Mr Crosland
Megan Boxall likes the look for CityFibre Infrastructure (CITY), the UK's largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre networks - and why not? A marked expansion in the number of customers connected helped the group swing into an adjusted cash profit position of £2.5m for the December year-end (from a £2.9m loss in 2015). Click here to see if Megan thinks this progress warrants a recommendation change.
As readers will know, Megan’s expertise extends well beyond fixed line telecommunications into the realm of pharmaceuticals. Our resident drug czar reports on the US Food and Drug Administration’s ruling on a cough and cold product from Vernalis (VER). Click here to find if there’s a bitter pill to swallow.
Shares in AB Dynamics (ABDP) pulled back despite release of half-year figures showing a 9 per cent hike in adjusted pre-tax profits and an improved period-end cash position. This highly rated provider of automotive testing systems continues to expand globally, but can it justify its lofty forward rating. Click here to find our take on the Wiltshire-based group.
