27 November 2018 – trading update

The company has issued a profit warning ahead of full year results, which will still be released on 29 November as planned.  In the year to 30 September underlying EBIT was £250m, some £58m lower than the previous year on a like-for-like basis.  The full year dividend has been suspended.  Buying in prior to the results announcement is a gamble but equally the price has fallen a long way, meaning that it makes little sense to sell.  We stick to our HOLD rating for now.