Europe Earnings: Asos, easyJet, Lloyds, Smith & Nephew, Wincanton

Nigel Thomas
05 Jun, 2014
New York City

Asos tumbled despite total revenue soared 26% to

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Asos tumbled despite total revenue soared 26% to £2.5 billion. easyJet passenger count in May increased 7.9%. Lloyds agreed to sell its real estate loans business for £352 million. Smith & Nephew jumped on takeover speculation. Wincanton profit surged.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index slid 0.03% or 2.29 to 6,816.34 and in Frankfurt the DAX index rose 0.1% or 11.21 to 9,937.88.

In Paris, CAC 40 index gained 1% or 44.44 to 4,545.44.

Asos Plc tumbled 31.2% to 3,113 pence after the U.K.-based online fashion retailer reported total group revenue in the first-quarter ending in May soared 26% to £2.48 billion from £1.97 billion a year ago period.

The retailer said sales in Europe climbed 37% and the U.S. and international sales jumped 17% each.

The company added active customers as of quarter ended in May surged 32% to 8.6 million from a year earlier.

easyJet Plc slipped 1.2% to 1,572 pence after the U.K.-based airline in May carried 6.05 million passengers compared to 5.61 million a year ago, an increase of 7.9%. Load factor rose to 89.4% in May, up 1.3% from 88.1%.

Investment Kinnevik AB declined 4.6% to 259.50 kronor after the Sweden-based investment company plans to acquire Germany-based privately held online shoe and clothing retailer Zalando AG.

Lloyds Banking Group Plc rose 0.8% to 78.68 pence after the U.K.-based financial services provider said it will sell its UK commercial real estate loans business to Promontoria Holding 109 B.V., an affiliate of Cerberus Global Investors for £352 million in cash.

Smith & Nephew Plc climbed 3.9% to 1,106 pence on media reports that the U.S.-based two medical devices maker Medtronic Inc and Stryker Corporation intends to make takeover offer.

Wincanton Plc surged 9% to 129.75 pence after the U.K.-based supply chain solution provider reported revenue in the year ending in March edged up 0.9% to £1.10 billion from £1.09 billion a year ago.

Profit in the year soared 171.3% to £27.4 million compared to £10.1 million and earnings per share soared to 21.7 pence from 8.4 pence a year earlier.