Online estate agent Rightmove published a trading statement ahead of its AGM. Despite broadly upbeat metrics being reported across the board with full year revenue guidance unchanged and customer numbers set to grow fractionally faster than have been stated previously, the market failed to find room to support the stock. The prospect of sales cycles remaining drawn out and high mortgage rates evidently drew the most attention which left the stock trading almost 5% lower an hour into the day.
A pre-close trading statement from Mothercare noted sales by its franchise partners down by 13%, although on a constant currency basis that reduces to just an 8% drop. Global economic uncertainties continue to weigh, whilst the note adds that many outlets continue to sell down surplus inventory from the COVID era. These factors are expected to continue weighing on FY25 results and the market has acknowledged this, pushing the stock dow by more than 20% in early trade.
Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital may have published a bleak Q1 trading update today with declines being posted across the board, but hopes of a better end to the year as macroeconomic pressures abate and client confidence improves, along with a renewed commitment to AI appear to have combined to deliver some positive sentiment for the stock. Having reversed losses at the open, the stock was sitting some 12% higher just over an hour into the session.
Headlines we expect on Monday
Cerillion Interim Results
This time last year Revenue £20.5m, Net cash £23.6m, Dividend 3.3p
Diploma Interim Results
This time last year Revenue £582.8m, Statutory operating profit £92.5m
