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Business Tracker (Updated June 2013)

The SWO Economy Module has devised a South West specific business tracker to provide ‘real-time’ information about the performance of some (not all) of the most significant publicly traded businesses in the region. The tracker follows the stock market performance of a select number of businesses - and associated news - to provide a snapshot of the trading conditions being faced.

We have developed this to be more timely than other published economic data, which tends to lag economic circumstances. We recognise that share prices do not completely reflect current trading conditions for all areas of the economy, but they do capture the reaction of the market to specific announcements from companies that are important to the health of the regional economy. Please email your thoughts and comments about the Business Tracker to economy@swo.org.uk .

April / May / June Update - What's Changed? 
April and May saw continued strength in the overall stock market (with a subsequent adjustment taking place in early June). Much of this rise continues to be attributed the relatively high flows of credit flowing into equities. Among our focus companies, positive trading announcements were made by Supergroup, Wincanton, Punch Taverns, WH Smith and Babcock. More mixed trading news was released by FlyBe, FirstGroup - both announcing some structural changes - and Imperial Tobacco, which saw weaker demand for its tobacco products.
Year-to-date share performance
Explanation - individual business share price movements capturing the percentage change from the closing price on the previous month and closing price for the previous year. 
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Economy - Year-to-date share performance of the 'SW businesses barometer' (%)
Year-to-date consolidated share performance
Explanation - the consolidated closing share price of the 30 businesses in the SW Business Tracker since 3rd January 2012, expressed in pence.
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Economy - Year-to-date consolidated share performance of the 'SW businesses barometer' (p)
Year-to-date consolidated market cap
Explanation - the consolidated stock market valuation of the 30 businesses (exc Bristol Water) in the South West Business Tracker since January 2012, expressed in £billions. This is calculated by taking the latest share price and multiplying it by the number of shares in issue for each company.
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Economy - Year-to-date consolidated market cap of the South West Business Barometer
South West Business News
30 May
 B&Q Owner Kingfisher In 29% Profit Plunge
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 Kingfisher sales fall as cold weather keeps customers away
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 Weak demand and wet weather hammers Kingfisher profits
25 May
 Flybe quits Gatwick as part of turnaround plan
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 Pennon profit plunges on waste-related write-down
20 May
 FirstGroup launches rights issue to defend credit rating
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 FirstGroup launches rights issue as profit falls
14 May
 Defence outsourcing drive boosts Babcock profit

SuperGroup eyes European push as sales rise
30 April
 Imperial Tobacco sees profits at lower end of range
26 April
 Rotork sees improvement in second-quarter revenue
19 April
 Flybe estimates profit at lower end of its expectations
18 April
 Kingfisher acquires 15 Romanian home improvement stores

WH Smith boss bows out on strong profits

FirstGroup trading in line with expectations

FirstGroup sells eight bus depots in £80m deal

Punch Taverns on track to meet annual profit expectations

Wincanton leads smallcaps after trade update
South West Businesses
The businesses listed below are featured on the South West Business Tracker. To find out more about individual business and their share performance click on the links.

Last Updated: 13/06/2013
Latest South West Business News
SuperGroup eyes European push as sales rise

Imperial Tobacco sees profits at lower end of range

Rotork sees improvement in second-quarter revenue

Flybe estimates profit at lower end of its expectations

Kingfisher acquires 15 Romanian home improvement stores

WH Smith boss bows out on strong profits

FirstGroup trading in line with expectations

FirstGroup sells eight bus depots in £80m deal

Punch Taverns on track to meet annual profit expectations

Wincanton leads smallcaps after trade update