Profits jump at Kingfisher on strong UK demand.


B&Q-owner Kingfisher forecast further growth on Tuesday, despite a "mixed" consumer environment, as it posted a jump in full-year profits.

Source: Sharecast

The retailer - which also owns Screwfix in the UK and Castorama and Brico Depot on the continent - saw sales edge up 0.2% in the year to 31 January to £12.9bn on a constant currency basis.

Underlying sales, however, which strip out the impact of opening and closing stores, rose 1.4%, driven by a strong performance in the UK. Like-for-like sales at B&Q jumped 3.3%, and by 3.2% at Screwfix, helping offset a 2.3% fall at Brico Depot and a 2.2% decline at Castorama France.

Group adjusted pre-tax profits jumped 6% to £560m, towards the top end of upgraded profit forecasts for between £540m and £570m.

Looking to the current year, and Kingfisher said it expected annual adjusted pre-tax profits to come in between £565m and £625m.

The guidance assumes net finance costs of around £105m - up from £91m - and capex of £400m, as the group continues to open new stores. During the year to January end, there were 41 net store openings, including 32 Screwfixes and two Castorama franchises in France.

Chief executive Thierry Garnier said: "With a mixed consumer environment across our markets, we continue to focus on delivering our strategic priorities, maintaining cost discipline and driving shareholders returns.

"This positions us well to capitalise on the attractive long-term structural growth opportunities within out markets."

See latest RNS on Investegate


ISIN: GB0033195214
Exchange: London Stock Exchange
Sell:
283.00 p
Buy:
375.00 p
Change: -5.50 ( -1.83 %)
Date:
Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Compare our accounts

If you're looking to grow your money over the longer term (5+ years), we have a range of investment choices to help.

Halifax is not responsible for the content and accuracy of the Markets News articles. We may not share the views of the author. Understand the risks, please remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invest. We don't provide advice so if you are in any doubt about buying and selling shares or making your own investment decisions we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified Financial Advisor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.