The e-commerce specialist Ocado saw its shares jump to the top of the FTSE-250 this morning after news that the company was expanding its work with AEON in Japan. With one Customer Fulfilment Centre already in operation and another due to come on line in 2026, today’s announcement is for a third site to be added, with completion in 2027. AEON is also upgrading existing operations with the latest live technology, increasing productivity and reducing costs. Ocado shares had added almost 6% by 9am.
Shares in the soft drinks maker Britvic have advanced today after management recommended shareholders accept a revised offer for the company from Carlsberg. The brewing giant upped the previous offer of 1250p per share to 1315p including a special dividend. A Q3 trading update also provided further support with group revenues for the period adding 6.3%. Britvic shares added 5% in early trade to sit at 1270p per share, still below that bid price.
Keeping with the Carlsberg theme here, Marston’s has this morning announced that it is exiting the brewing business to become a pure-play hospitality firm. The 40% stake it held in CMBC (Carlsberg Marston’s Limited) is being sold to Carlsberg for £206m, with the proceeds being used to pay down debt. Investors clearly see value in this news given shares advanced by almost 20% shortly after the open, although a little of those gains had been given back after the first hour of trade.
Headlines we expect on Tuesday
Loungers Final Results
This time last year Revenues £283.5m, Operating profit £14.7m, Net debt £140.9m
Begbies Traynor Final Results
This time last year Revenues £121.8m, Pre-tax profit £6m, Proposed dividend 3.8p
