20th Mar 2025 11:06
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Thursday.
----------
SMALL-CAP - WINNERS
----------
Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd, up 7.1% at 1,440.00 pence, 12-month range 1,210p-1,515p. Group profit after tax rises 16% to USD119.1 million during 2024 from USD103.1 million in 2023, despite investment portfolio returns for continuing operations sinking 30% to USD20.5 million from USD29.1 million. Profit from continuing operations declines 48% to USD11.2 million from USD21.7 million, while profit from discontinued operations was 33% higher on-year at USD107.9 million from USD81.4 million. Further to its announcement in October, Ocean Wilsons anticipates the disposal of its 56% stake in Wilson Sons SA, which was one of its two operating subsidiaries, to complete in either Q2 or Q3. The sale to a subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co SA remains subject to ongoing regulatory proceedings. The firm ups its total dividend by 21% to 85 US cents per share, from 70 cents the year before. It proposes an upgraded dividend of 122 cents per share for 2025.
----------
Wickes Group PLC, up 5.4% at 180.80 pence, 12-month range 132.60p-184.20p. Pretax profit falls 44% in the year that ended December 28, slumping to GBP23.2 million from GBP41.1 million the year before. Revenue declines 1.0% to GBP1.54 billion from GBP1.55 billion, but the firm maintains its total dividend at 10.9 pence per share. "2024 was a year of strong progress for Wickes as our balanced business model and brand strength saw us continue to deliver for customers and take further market share," says Chief Executive Officer David Wood. "We grew volumes and share throughout the year in Retail as customers bought more of our products for their home improvement projects, however big or small. In Design and Installation, we have been encouraged by a return to growth in ordered sales in Q4 following the actions we took to enhance our customer offer and experience." Wickes announces a new share buyback for up to GBP20 million, following its completion of a GBP25 million buyback during the year. The firm expects its 2025 dividend to be maintained at 10.9p per share again, and notes that trading in the first eleven weeks of 202 have been in line with expectations. Wickes will release a spring trading update in mid-May.
----------
SMALL-CAP - LOSERS
----------
James Fisher & Sons PLC, down 0.1% at 327.74p, 12-month range 247.00p-371.00p. Swings to a pretax profit of GBP54.0 million during 2024, from a loss of GBP39.9 million in 2023. This is largely due to a one-off GBP49.5 million profit made on business disposals during the year, as well as impairment charges reducing to GBP5.2 million from GBP28.4 million and refinancing costs falling to GBP3.5 million from GBP12.2 million. Revenue, on the other hand, declines 12% to GBP437.7 million from GBP496.2 million. "February 2025 year-to-date trading was in line with management expectations. Subject to geopolitical uncertainties, the board remains confident on delivering further progress this year, working towards our medium-term financial targets of 10% underlying operating profit margin and 15% ROCE," adds CEO Jean Vernet. James Fisher declared no dividend, unchanged from 2023.
----------
By Emily Parsons, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
James Fisher and SonsWickes Group P.Ocean Wilsons