AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
FRA
GER
ESP
ITA
NLD
PRT
SWE
GRC
IND
POL
BRA
ZAF
RUS
CHN
UAE
.jpg)
Summary
- Coronavirus restrictions were further eased in England today.
- British PM Boris Johnson urged people to continue playing their part in controlling the spread of the virus.
- The government announced new rules for non-essential travel abroad after lifting ban.
Coronavirus restrictions were further eased in England today. Most parts of the country would now be able to go back to the days of hugging freely, enjoying a beer in their favourite pubs, catch a movie at the theatre, or have an indoor meal at a restaurant after a year of lockdowns, the most stringent of restrictions seen in peacetime history.
British prime minister Boris Johnson urged people to continue to play their part in controlling the spread of the virus. He said that though England reached a milestone in the way out of the lockdown, caution must be exercised in every step taken.
The government announced new rules for non-essential travel abroad after lifting the ban. The new rules had to be incorporated as a variant of the Coronavirus first identified in India, continue to spread through Britain.
Restrictions are being eased in Scotland, England, and Wales from Monday, while Northern Ireland would see easing slightly later. Monday onwards, gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors would be allowed in England, cafes, restaurants, and bars would open indoor service, two families would be able to meet indoors, five visitors would be allowed for residents of care homes, and schools would no longer require compulsory face coverings.
Also read: JD Wetherspoon plans expansion, lens on 2 restaurant stocks with over 45% YTD gains
Here is a look at 2 biggest FTSE 100 travel and leisure stocks by market capitalisation and how they have reacted to the phase 3 easement:
Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc (LON: IHG)
The shares of the hospitality company were down 1.12 per cent and were trading at GBX 4,903 on 17 May at 11:27 GMT+1. The company has a market capitalisation of £9,118.68 million. Meanwhile, the benchmark index FTSE 100 was down 0.67 per cent at 6,996.8.
(Source: Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters)
For the first quarter of 2021, the group’s revenue per available room (RevPAR) was down 50.6 per cent compared to being down by 33.7 per cent in the same period a year ago. The group recorded occupancy of 40 per cent, which improved through the quarter. About 223 hotels, 4 per cent of the estate remained closed as of 31 March.
Whitbread Plc (LON:WTB)
The shares of the hotel and restaurant company were down 1.92 per cent, trading at GBX 3,117 on 17 May at 12:15 GMT+1. The company has a market capitalistaion of £6,422.48 million.
Also read: English Shoppers Binge on Covid-19 Restrictions Ease
(Source: Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters)
The company’s statutory revenue in FY21 was down 71.5 per cent to £589.4 million compared to £2,071.5 million a year ago. Its statutory loss for the year increased 516 per cent to £906.5 million from a profit of £217 million a year ago. The company said that in UK it significantly outperformed in the economy hotel market and the midscale hotel segment post reopening in August. Customer scores also remained strong throughout this period, notwithstanding significant disruption.
