Europe Movers: Aston Martin, Domino's Pizza, GSK Group, Next PLC

Inga Muller
01 May, 2024
Frankfurt

Aston Martin Lagonda Global declined 4.6% to 141.43 pence after the luxury automaker reported a wider-than-expected loss in the first quarter. 

Revenue in the first quarter declined by 26% to £945 million from £1.3 billion; pre-tax losses expanded to £138.8 million from £74.2 million; and net debt increased by 20% to £1.04 billion from £868.1 million a year ago. 

The company said vehicle sales declined in the quarter after it introduced new products, ended production of several core products, and ramped up production of the new Vantage, upgraded DBX 707, and V12 sports car. 

Vehicle sales in the first quarter dropped 26% to 945 from 1,269 units in the corresponding period a year ago. 

Next plc increased 0.1% to 9,020.49 pence after the apparel retailer reiterated its full-year outlook. 

Revenue in the first quarter increased 5.7% from a year ago, driven by an 8.8% rise in online sales and flat in-store sales. 

The retailer projected a full-year 2024 consolidated sales increase of 6% to £6.2 billion, a pre-tax profit rise of 4.6% to £960 million, and an after-tax earnings per share gain of 4.8% to 606.3 pence. 

GSK plc increased 2.2% to 1,706.75 pence after the pharmaceutical company reported a better-than-expected 27% increase in its core operating profit in the first quarter. 

Revenue in the first quarter increased 10% to 7.4 billion, core operating profit soared 27% to 2.4 billion, and earnings per share declined 19% to 25.7 pence. 

The company announced a 15-pence per share cash dividend. 

The pharmaceutical company's full-year sales are likely towards the upper end of its previously announced sales growth range of between 5% and 7%, with core operating profit rising between 9% and 11% and core earnings per share rising between 8% and 10%. 

Domino's Pizza Group PLC decreased 0.7% to 323.40 pence after the company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly results. 

Comparable sales in the first quarter declined by 0.5%, and total orders fell by 0.8% from the previous year, but on a two-year basis, comparable sales rose by 8.4%. 

Total system sales in the first quarter declined 0.4% to £385.1 million from £386.6 million, and total orders on a comparable basis fell 0.8% to 17.7 million from 17.8 million a year ago. 

Total orders fell 1.8% to 17.7 million from 18.0 million.