Japanese consumer electronics company Sony Corp., Wednesday, at its Corporate Strategy Meeting, said it expects to achieve financial targets for fiscal year 2014 announced on April 12. The firm aims returning electronics business to profit in fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, and said it continues to strengthen the overall financial foundations of the Group.
Cable & Wireless Communications Plc. (CWC.L) Wednesday reported a profit for the year compared to a loss last year, amid lower exceptional items. The company added that it has set a new target to drive $100 million of savings.
UK's private security firm G4S Plc (GFS.L, GFSZY.PK) Tuesday announced that Nick Buckles is stepping down as CEO and retiring from the company and as a director on May 31. It has appointed CFO Ashley Almanza to succeed Buckles as CEO, effective June 1. G4S also named Eddie Aston as its Chief Operating Officer or COO, a newly created role.
British telecom giant Vodafone Group Plc Tuesday reported a sharp decline in the fiscal 2013 profit, impacted by hefty impairment charges and lower revenues. The company said it experienced continued tough economic conditions, particularly in Southern Europe, and an adverse European regulatory environment.
Retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc (MAKSY.PK, MAKSF.PK, MKS.L) Tuesday reported a lower annual profit, amid a tough clothing market. Further, the retailer said trading over the first seven weeks of the new financial year has been in line with its expectations.
Irish low cost airline Ryanair Holdings Plc reported 13 percent increase in profit for fiscal 2013, including mainly 6 percent increase in average fares and strong ancillary revenues. Meanwhile, fuel costs, which represented 45 percent of total costs, grew 18 percent from last year. Due to lower yields and higher fuel costs, the company expects first-quarter net profit to be lower than last year.
The fifth consecutive monthly increase in the U.K. house prices amid limited supply took average asking prices to a record, a survey by Rightmove showed Monday. House prices hit a record GBP 249,841 in May, as new sellers raised their prices by 2.1 percent from the prior month. Prices were up by the same magniture in April.