AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Monday – October 04
1. Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets Plc (LON: MRW)
Morrisons, a leading supermarket chain owner in the UK, accepted an acquisition bid from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), a US-based private equity group for £7 billion ($9.5 billion). CD&R has been in talks with Morrison for the takeover since June amid fierce competition from two other American investment groups.
The private equity group offered 287 pence per ordinary share of Morrisons, as against the Fortress bid of 286 pence per share. In July, Morrisons rejected CD&R’s earlier offer of £5.5 billion.
Tuesday – October 05
- Greggs Plc (LON: GRG)
UK’s leading bakery chain, Greggs Plc, warned that ingredient and staff shortages might be a major factor for price rise this year. In the quarter ended 2 October 2021, the company’s like-for-like sales increased by 3.5%, compared to the pre-pandemic levels, despite supply chain issues and staffing shortages. Greggs’ sales growth remained strong in August as many people holidayed in the country rather than heading overseas.
The company was able to absorb the cost rise in the short term due to stockpiling of ingredients and equipment. The bakery chain revealed it had been impacted by the countrywide HGV driver shortage.
Wednesday – October 06
- NatWest Group Plc (LON: NWG)
NatWest took over RoosterMoney, a pocket money app for children. Post-acquisition, the bank intends to provide RoosterMoney as part of its existing products and services portfolio. The offering would aid families and children in easy and convenient cash management.
The RoosterMoney app currently boasts over 130,000 users in the UK. Existing RoosterMoney users will be able to use the app as usual. The app provides features such as chore reminders and rewards charts. The app would also enable children to gain access to a contactless debit card along with flexible parental controls.
Thursday – October 07
- Revolution Bars Group Plc (LON:RBG)
Revolution Bars Group, an AIM-listed bar chain in the UK, recorded a 17% increase in sales during 19 July and 2 October period, comparable to that in the same pre-pandemic period in 2019. Revolution Bars currently operates across 67 sites through 56 branches in England and registered a like-for-like growth of 21%.
The group's net cash stands at £3.7 million as of 6 October 2021. With the hospitality sector reopening fully in England in July 2021, Revolution Bars re-commenced a refurbishment programme.
Friday – October 08
5. Brighton Pier Group Plc (LON:PIER)
Brighton Pier Group, the owner of Yorkshire’s Lightwater Valley theme park, surpassed pre-pandemic sales on account of pent-up demand, pleasant weather conditions, and a rise in staycations. The company’s revenue was 14% higher than the 2019 level. In the August bank holiday week, the pier reported a record £1 million in sales. For the quarter ended September 2021, the company’s sales reached £15.9 million, which is 44% higher than pre-pandemic revenue in the same period.
Brighton Pier Group secured £5 million through the company’s business interruption insurance that the company reimbursed for loss of business during the pandemic. The company’s full-year earnings are slated to be £2 million more than the market estimates.
