Markets are ending the week on a positive note with the FTSE 100 up 0.5% to 7,112 and the FTSE 250 up 0.6% to 19,290 after a big rebound in China’s manufacturing PMI survey boosted sentiment.
For more on PMI surveys and their importance for investors, see here.
The world’s largest advertising firm WPP (WPP) reported flat sales in 2018 despite the loss of several major client accounts as sales in the fourth quarter beat analysts’ estimates.
New boss Mark Read is forecasting a 1.5% to 2% drop in like-for-like revenues for this year as he tries to steer the company back on track.
‘As we have said, 2019 will be challenging - particularly in the first half - due to headwinds from client losses in 2018’ said Read.
After a 40% fall in the share price last year, bargain-hunters are out in force and the stock rallies 7% to 885p to top the FTSE 100 leader board.
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) delivers in-line revenues and profits for last year but warns that it won’t meet its margin target this year due to higher costs.
Revenues were up 9% last year to £2.14bn while operating profits rose 15% to £931m but spending on systems and a £30m provision for laying off 250 staff will crimp returns this year.
After a strong run since the start of the year the shares give back some ground to trade down 2% at £44.40.
Star performer in the FTSE 250 is recruitment firm Robert Walters (RWA) with shares up 10% to 580p after reporting record results last year due to strong overseas growth.
While UK net fee income was up 7% it was Europe (up 24%) and Asia (up 13%) which drove the company’s performance, generating a 19% rise in operating profits.
Close behind is wealth manager Jupiter Fund Management (JUP), up 9% to 369p after reporting a slight increase in management fees last year despite a drop in assets under management (AUM).
Fees were up 1% to £396m even though AUM were £7.5bn lower due in part to net outflows of £4.6bn.
On the plus side good investment performance means that over three quarters of Jupiter’s fund now boast above-average returns for the last three years.
Going the other way is wealth manager Man Group (EMG) with shares down 5% to 131p as the firm reports a more than 50% fall in performance fees and a $7.7bn fall in the value of its investments last year due to choppy markets.
Shares in bookmaker William Hill (WMH) are also weaker, down 2% to 183p after it reported a small drop in revenues and adjusted operating profits last year.
Turnover was 2% lower at £1.6bn while operating profits were 3% lower at £267m as the firm delivered a strong underlying performance during what was a turbulent year for the UK gambling industry.
