Ashley (Laura) Holding (ALY) eyes tearoom and hotel push as profits are all but wiped out. Sean Anglim, chief financial officer, said it was now looking at the hospitality sector “more seriously” as a means of driving customers back into stores.
Football Pools ‘not in DNA’ of Sportech as it focuses on US sports betting. Sportech (SPO) has pivoted towards the US recently, establishing a large presence in Connecticut in particular. The New England state is expected to legalise sports betting either later this year or early next year.
Costain Group (COST) hails focus on ‘smart infrastructure’ as profits jump. Costain has been attempting to bolster its margins by working on more technology-focused projects rather than just the traditional civil engineering work it has traditionally been associated with.
Troubled Capita (CPI) and Debenhams (DEB) in finance chief reshuffle. Outsourcer Capita has hired Go Ahead’s finance boss Patrick Butcher as its chief financial officer and he is due to join the company at the end of the year. Debenhams has brought in Rachel Osborne as chief financial officer from Domino’s Pizza.
Costain Group (COST) has won a contract to design, install and run a system of roadside wi-fi units along the A2 and M2 in Kent as part of a trial to determine how best to hook up connected cars to the internet.
Ashley (Laura) Holding (ALY) reported a profit slump. Sean Anglim, chief financial officer, said it was now looking at the hospitality sector “more seriously” as a means of driving customers back into stores.
Questor: profit growth of 10% and a return of special dividends – Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) is one to hold
