Numis upgrades Grafton, says company has unique drivers
12th Nov 2015 14:29
(ShareCast News) - Grafton Group issued a disappointing trading statement, but things should not be taken out of context, a top broker said on Thursday. Indeed, the builders merchant and DIY retailer may have an ace up its sleeve when compared with rivals, as the Irish recovery will remain a key (an
Read moreLondon midday: Chinese data, profit warnings weigh on Footsie
12th Nov 2015 11:49
(ShareCast News) - News that Chinese banks remained unwilling to lend in October weighed on stock markets across Europe on Thursday, amid a spate of profit warnings in the UK and ahead of an eagerly awaited speech from the chair of the US Federal Reserve herself. So-called aggregate financing in Asi
Read moreGrafton Group cuts profit outlook as trading environment remains challenging
12th Nov 2015 09:29
(ShareCast News) - Grafton Group has cut its operating profit outlook for the full year due to persistent tough conditions in the Belgian and UK markets. The builders' merchant and DYI specialist said ongoing weakness in its Belgium operations has forced it to cut its operating profit expectations f
Read moreGrafton's senior director to step down at the end of the year
12th Oct 2015 09:18
(ShareCast News) - Roderick Ryan will step down from its role as chairman of the audit and risk committee and senior independent director of Grafton Group at the end of the year. In a statement released on Monday, the FTSE 250 group said Ryan will leave the company on 31 December and will be succeed
Read moreGrafton jumps as interim profit surges
27th Aug 2015 08:59
(ShareCast News) - Shares in Grafton jumped over 6% early on Thursday, after the builders' merchant and DIY group reported a surge in interim pre-tax profit. In the six months to 30 June, the FTSE 250-listed company posted a 26.1% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profit to £57.9m, while revenue grew
Read moreFTSE 250 movers: Drax leads charge while Grafton Group takes a hit
9th Jul 2015 16:11
Mid-cap stocks were up slightly on Thursday, by 1.07% at 16:42, with power generator Drax leading the upward charge. The power company put in a solid performance after tumbling to an all-time low on Wednesday after Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced the government will remove the C
Read moreGrafton revenues up, firm remains upbeat despite margin pressures
9th Jul 2015 07:48
DIY firm Grafton Group said it remained positive despite modest margins in a competitive market. In a trading update on Thursday, the company said revenue for the six months to June 30 increased by 6.6% from to £1.015bn to £1.08 bn, despite weaker pricing in the UK plumbing and heating market and a
Read moreSector movers: Mining shares, Vodafone chatter edge FTSE 100 towards record high
22nd May 2015 13:46
Mining and telecommunications shares, with the latter led by Vodafone, edged the FTSE 100 towards a record high on Friday. With the weekend closing bell in sight, at 16:15 BST, the blue chip index was up 0.55% or 38.24 points at a fresh record high of 7051.71. Chatter over Vodafone's possible merger
Read moreBroker tips: BHP Billiton, BP, Building materials sector
22nd May 2015 11:39
Investec has upgraded its stance on BHP Billiton from 'sell' to 'hold' following the spin-off of the miner's South32 portfolio this week, as well as recent reduced capital and operating cost guidance. While many of BHP's remaining key commodities at prices not seen since 2009, the broker said: "We e
Read moreLondon midday: Stocks hold on to gains before US CPI, Vodafone continues to rise
22nd May 2015 11:23
UK stocks held on to gains on Friday ahead of some key economic data from the States, which is forecast to show that the US remained in deflation last month. Strong gains from Vodafone, HSBC and a host of stocks in the mining sector were supporting markets in London. The FTSE 100 was up 0.37% at 7,
Read moreJefferies turns positive on building materials stocks
22nd May 2015 11:20
Shares of building materials peers Wolseley, Travis Perkins, Howden Joinery and Grafton Group were all on the rise on Friday after Jefferies took positive stance on the sector. With equity markets more buoyant, the broker admitted that its previous valuation metrology was "too cautious", as it upgra
Read moreGrafton sales growth limited by margin pressures
12th May 2015 07:44
Builders merchant and DIY group Grafton Group has had a positive start to the year, though margin pressures in its UK business partially offset top-line growth. The company, with operations in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, reported 9.6% year-on-year growth in constant-currency revenues over the four
Read moreGrafton Group completes acquisition of TG Lynes
2nd Mar 2015 08:20
Grafton Group has completed the acquisition of TG Lynes, a distributor of mechanical engineering products. TG Lynes supplies products in the UK mechanical services market for use in commercial and public sector buildings, apartments and industrial processes. Grafton said the acquisition "greatly en
Read moreGrafton revenue rise 9.5% amid favourable trading conditions
8th Jan 2015 08:46
Favourable trading conditions and sustained recovery in Ireland enabled DIY and building group Grafton to nail full year revenues and profits in line with expectations. The group, which operates in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, said the rate of growth had eased as expected in the fourth quarter to 4.
Read moreGrafton Group completes acquisition of Crescent Building Supplies
2nd Dec 2014 07:50
Builders merchant and DIY group Grafton has completed the acquisition of Crescent Building Supplies, a general merchant business trading from three branches in West London and one in Berkshire. The addition of Crescent, which generated revenue of £10.5m in the financial year to 31 March, will improv
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