Lower prices weigh on results at Shell, next share buyback tranche launched
Lower oil, gas and LNG prices put a crimp in Shell’s first-half results, but improved production helped the energy major keep delivering strong cash flow figures.
profits
Pub and restaurant operator targets expansion
Pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is plotting overseas expansion for its Miller & Carter (M&C) steakhouses after first-half profits growth
Grain firm puts profit dip down to difficult 2017
Scottish grain merchant W.N. Lindsay has blamed a difficult harvest in 2017 for a 27% drop in profits last year.
Next cuts profit forecast
Fashion chain Next has cut its annual profits forecast despite a solid Christmas performance.
Profits nearly double at Aberdeen Airport
Growing passenger numbers boosted profits at Aberdeen International Airport (AIA) during last year, the north-east gateway’s latest annual accounts show.
Scotmid profits boost thanks to sunshine and funerals
Sunny weather and more funerals helped to boost profits at Scotmid Co-operative during the first half of its trading year, the group’s boss said yesterday.
RBS is back to black as profits total £752million
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has posted its first annual profits in a decade – as it is about to slash its branch network.
Bob Dudley hails 2017 as one of strongest years for BP
BP chief executive Bob Dudley has hailed 2017 as one of the strongest years in the company’s recent history.
Carillion loss hits bank’s profits
Profits at Santander’s UK operation have been dragged down by the bank’s exposure to collapsed construction giant Carillion.
Global taste for Scotch lifts drink giant’s profits
The world’s biggest whisky producer hailed a strong performance from Scotland’s national drink as it toasted a jump in overall sales and profits.
City fire puts brakes on north bus company’s profits
Traffic problems caused by a major city centre fire and increased congestion on the streets of Inverness have contributed to a sharp fall in profits for the Highland capital’s local bus service operator.
Business in the north: What’s coming this week?
Scottish firms have started the new year in despondent mood, judging by a new report published today.
Airline Eastern Airways plunges into red
Eastern Airways (UK) suffered a dive into the red during its 2016/17 trading year, new figures show.
Budget airline’s profits fall due to weak pound
EasyJet has seen annual profits nosedive by 17% after taking a £101million hit from the weak pound.
Babcock profits in the red due to Norwegian disaster and oil downturn
Helicopter operator Babcock saw profits fall into the red as a result of the downturn in oil and gas and pressure from lower operating costs.
Airline fastens its seatbelt for Brexit
EasyJet has said that full-year profits will come in at the top end of its forecasts after a record quarter, but warned that it will take a £100million hammering from the Brexit-induced collapse in the pound.
Baxters leaps up sales league
Three north and north-east businesses are on a new list of the UK’s top 250 companies ranked by annual sales or profits.
Distiller’s profits and turnover barrel along
The family-owned Moray firm behind the world’s best-selling single malt whisky saw turnover and profits rocket after core brands did well during 2016.
Overseas interest in UK’s Pret A Manger
Filipino fast food group Jollibee Foods Corp is reportedly eyeing a potential takeover of UK sandwich chain Pret A Manger that could value the business at more than £738million.
Profits still rising after death of car firm’s chief
Profits climbed by more than 11% and turnover hit a new £3.66billion high at Scottish car sales and rental giant Arnold Clark in the last full year before the death of its “inspirational” billionaire founder.
Profits at frozen food chain Farmfoods plunged by half last year
Profits at Farmfoods, the frozen-food chain founded in Aberdeen more than 60 years ago, plunged by more than half last year.
Business in the north: What’s coming this week?
The struggling owner of Frankie & Benny’s is expected to report another fall in profits next week, with chief executive Andy McCue expected to outline the progress of turnaround efforts.
Fears over post to rural communities
Fresh fears have been raised about the future of postal services to rural areas after Royal Mail questioned the advantages enjoyed by rivals.