Character Group enjoys robust year
29th Nov 2011 08:03
Toys, games and giftware firm Character Group revealed a 19.8% hike in full year pre-tax profit and said while it has reduced its sales forecasts for the current year, it expects to maintain profit in 2012 at similar levels to this year. Pre-tax profit rose to £9.05m in the year ended 31 August 201
Read moreWednesday tips round-up: Abcam, National Express, IG
14th Sep 2011 06:34
Abcam initially produced primary antibodies, tools used in genetic research. Four fifths of its products go into laboratories and other research facilities funded by the public purse, which is a weakness. The company floated on AIM in 2005 with a market capitalisation of £57.5 million and is now wor
Read moreLondon close: Good gains as FTSE 100 rallies
13th Sep 2011 16:58
Stocks rediscovered their earlier buoyancy to finish with strong gains as hopes of a resolution of the euro crisis attracted buyers. Today's big mover, Cairn Energy, fell sharply after reporting disappointing results from its drilling campaign offshore Greenland, with one well coming up dry and ano
Read moreLondon midday: Eurozone worries resurface
13th Sep 2011 12:07
This morning's bright start seems a distant memory now, with shares firmly in the red as worries over the Eurozone situation take centre stage again. Today's big mover, Cairn Energy is sharply lower after reporting disappointing results from its offshore drilling campaign offshore Greenland, with o
Read moreCharacter tries to calm fears
13th Sep 2011 10:18
The toys, games and giftware company, Character Group says its year end results will meet market expectations. The firm, which produces branded toys such as Peppa Pig, Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam, says it felt obliged to update investors amidst the current economic gloom. In a nod to what many
Read moreCharacter confident despite expected second half slowdown
19th Apr 2011 15:54
Toys and giftware distributor Character Group announced a strong rise revenue for the half year ended to 28th February but is bracing itself for a slowdown in sales in the second half. Profit before tax rose 78% to £6.64m from £3.73m the year before on sales that rose 34.7% to £6.64m from £43.1m a
Read moreSmall caps round-up: Henderson Smaller Cos, Forte Energy, Vane Minerals...
19th Jan 2011 11:01
Small cap-focused trust Henderson Smaller Companies achieved a total return of 22.1% for the half-year to 30 November, putting the benchmark index - up 12.7% - in the shade. The trust, which increased total pre-tax profit from £37.9m to £42.6m, said it expects the markets to remain "choppy", but t
Read moreFriday tips round-up: Domino's Pizza, Britvic, Kingfisher...
3rd Dec 2010 06:45
The last two cold snaps boosted like-for-like sales at Domino's Pizza as peckish consumers, wary of slippery pavements, decided to phone for fast food. Domino's was ready to meet the challenge with its fleet of scooters, which made inroads in areas where larger vehicles were held back by the snow.
Read moreLondon close: Market jumps 125 points
2nd Dec 2010 16:33
Blue chips staged an impressive late rally to finish more than 100 points higher for the second day running. There was no big bond repurchase programme today from the European Central Bank, but a decision to extend the current one for three months was enough to get buyers in a lather again. "We ex
Read moreLondon afternoon: ECB inaction deflates market
2nd Dec 2010 14:28
The absence of any mention of plans to launch a bond purchase in the European Central Bank (ECB) press conference this afternoon has taken some of the glow off equities. "We expect the governments to follow what they are committed to, they all have their adjustment and stabilisation programmes," E
Read moreLondon midday: Shares stay strong as updates impress
2nd Dec 2010 12:02
Company announcements have mostly been well-received today, helping to keep the leading share index in positive territory. All eyes will be on European Central Bank President (ECB) Jean-Claude Trichet at this afternoon's press conference following the interest rate decision for the eurozone, which
Read moreCharacter Group back in the black
2nd Dec 2010 08:16
Toys and giftware distributor Character Group returned to profit in the full year after strong demand for its brands and distributed lines. Following several years of a tough retail environment the group, whose brands include ZhuZhu Pets, Peppa Pig, Doctor Who and Postman Pat, posted a pre-tax prof
Read moreSmall caps round-up: Character, Advanced Computer, Titanium...
9th Sep 2010 14:57
Toy maker Character expects to make a "strong return to profitability" for the year to 31 August and reports second half and full-year sales ahead of forecasts. "Sales in the new year have started well and are likely to substantially out-perform our internal forecasts for September," the firm sai
Read moreCharacter: Confident, Sees FY In Line With Market Views
26th Jul 2010 07:48
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Character Group PLC (CCT.LN), said Monday that the group continues to develop its portfolio of branded products and build its market share in the U.K, and said it is confident that trading for the financial year ending Aug. 31 will at least meet market expectations. MAIN FACT
Read moreCharacter Group To Launch Michael Jackson Collectible Figures
15th Jul 2010 07:58
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Character Group PLC (CCT.LN), which designs, develops and distributes toys, games and giftware internationally, said Thursday its principal trading subsidiary Character Options Ltd plans to distribute a collection of official Michael Jackson dolls, adding that it expects to see s
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