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“The market last week had its focus on whether the FTSE 100 would achieve a new record high, which it did – and does so again today. Now the focus is on how quickly the blue chip index can smash through the 8,000 level. On Monday it nudged ahead 0.6% or 47 points to 7,826, helped by the US and China trade war being put on hold and the US dollar racing ahead,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Ryanair
“A key question for the market to consider is whether Ryanair’s pessimistic outlook alongside strong full year results is a classic piece of expectations management or a true reflection of the challenges facing the business.
“After all chief executive Michael O’Leary’s ‘pessimistic side of cautious’ guidance sets a fairly low bar for the budget airline to clear.
“The results of Ryanair’s battle with its labour force are evident in its forecasts for the current financial year with margins pressured by the impact of higher pay. A surge in oil prices will also impact profitability.
“The company even found a new way to warn on Brexit, this time focusing on the impact on shareholders, noting it could restrict the voting rights of non-EU shareholders in order to comply with its current licences.”
NewRiver REIT
“News that shopping centre investor NewRiver is in talks to buy community pubs business Hawthorn Leisure would suggest that it sees better opportunities for growth outside of its core retail focus.
“Buying approximately 300 pubs across England and Scotland may seem like a strange shift in strategy for NewRiver, yet it is no stranger to the sector.
“NewRiver has previously bought pubs from Marston’s and Punch Taverns and now owns and oversees the management of 336 pubs across the UK.
“Essentially pubs are very similar to shopping centres – they are buildings designed to attract consumers so they have an enjoyable experience and spend money.”
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