Equities Focus

InterContinental Hotels recently published their FY 2019 results, meeting expectations in terms of revenue. However, revenue per room available has dropped 0.3% globally and has fallen 4.5% in Greater China – largely due to Hong Kong protests. Share price fell 6.1% in the past 30 days but is up 4.6% over the past 52 weeks.

Virgin Galactic recently announced that their spaceship VSS unity successfully completed another test flight and is on track for the final stages of its test-flight program. Virgin Galactic also announced their first COO last month and have sold out all their tickets for their first commercial flight into space. Shares are up 52% in the past 5 days, 83% in the past 30 days and 184% over the past 52 weeks.

Under Armour’s Q1 2020 sales could take a hit of around $50-60m due to the impact coronavirus is having globally. Under Armour also faces challenges in rebuilding its North America business as competition heightens and the need to improve and grow its footwear business faces threat from new entrants and retailers’ private brands. Share price fell 15% in the past 5 days, 16% in the past 30 days and 19% over the past 52 weeks.

Sainsbury’s have recently launched shops in Al Meera outlets in Qatar, following an exclusive distribution contract agreed last year. In other news rival Tesco have unlawfully blocked other grocers from opening stores near its supermarkets according to the CMA. Share price fell 4.2% in the past 30 days and is down 27% over the past 52 weeks.

Daimler Trucks’ FY 2019 was the 3rd most successful in the division’s history, achieving an EBIT of €2.5bn. However, Daimler Trucks plan to make additional cost cuts to counter weakening global demand and to cope with the financial burden of investments in electric and self-driving vehicles. Share price fell 8.4% in the past 30 days is down 14% in the past 52 weeks.