Carillion Tumbles on Debt Worries, Vivendi Delays Ubisoft Takeover

Sarla Buch
17 Nov, 2017
New York City

Carillion plunged 33% after another profit warning. Elior tumbled on profit and weaker-than-expected benefits from its cost savings plan. Kier Group reiterated its outlook. Vivendi said the company is not going to pursue Ubisoft hostile takeover in the next six months.

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Carillion plunged 33% after another profit warning. Elior tumbled on profit and weaker-than-expected benefits from its cost savings plan. Kier Group reiterated its outlook. Vivendi said the company is not going to pursue Ubisoft hostile takeover in the next six months.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index slid 5.32 to 7,381.66 and in Frankfurt the DAX index decreased 39.46 or 0.3% to 13,000.34.

In Paris, CAC 40 index slipped 22.96 or 0.4% to 5,313.78.

For the week, FTSE 100 index dropped 0.7%, the DAX index fell 0.9% and the CAC 40 index declined 1.2%.

Allgeier SE slumped 0.7% to €21.41 after Germany-based information technology provider said revenues in the nine-month period ending in September soared 14.9% from a year ago to €407.6 million.

Net profit in the period declined 22.9% to €5.3 million from €6.9 million in a year ago period.

Carillion Plc tumbled 33.7% to 27.50 pence after the U.K.-based construction services provider estimated full-year average net debt to increase between £875 million and £925 million.

“It is clear that significant challenges remain and more needs to be done to reduce net debt. Constructive dialogue is continuing with our financial stakeholders to rebuild the Group’s balance sheet,” said chief executive officer Keith Cochrane.

Elior Group SA plunged 16.1% to €20.68 after France-based catering services provider forecasted revenues in the fourth-quarter ending in September to increase 8.9% and operating margin of about 8.3%.

Elior said Hurricane Irma in September impacted on contract catering and concession catering businesses and less than expected savings were realized in the cost-saving plan.

Kier Group Plc gained 0.9% to 1,028.25 pence after the U.K.-based property, residential, construction services provider said property division “had performed well and delivered a return of 20%” and more than £1.4 billion of developments are in the pipeline.

The construction services provider reaffirmed double digit profit growth in the current fiscal year and achieve its “Vision 2020” targets.

Vivendi SA jumped 4.9% to €22.73 after France-based media services provider reported revenues in the nine-month period ending in September surged 11.8% from a year ago to €8.6 billion.

Net profit in the period tumbled 66.7% to €399 million from €1.2 billion in a year ago period and diluted earnings per share declined to €0.32 from €0.89.

Vivendi forecasted fiscal 2017 revenues to increase by more than 5% and operating profit to jump 25%.

The publisher added in particular, UMG’s revenues are estimated to increase 10% and operating profit of about 20% and confirmed its operating profit target at Canal+ Group of about €350 million compared to €240 million in 2016.

Separately, Vivendi said that it will not pursue hostile takeover of Ubisoft for at least next six-month.