The Morning News Update with easyJet, Bellway and ASOS

FTSE 100

easyJet (EZJ) – passenger numbers up 7.9% in May to 6,054,249, load factor up 0.7 percentage points at 89.9%.

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) – has agreed the sale of a portfolio of UK commercial real estate loans to Promontoria Holding 109 B.V., which is an affiliate of Cerberus Global Investors, for a cash consideration of £352 million. The transaction is part of the group’s continued non-core run-off portfolio asset reduction programme.

Johnson Matthey (JMAT) – underlying pre-tax profits up by 12% at £427.3 million in the year to March, dividend up by 10% at 62.5p per share.

FTSE 250

Galliford Try (GFRD) – has been appointed as a framework contractor to both Lots 1 and 2 of the Midlands Highway Alliance framework. The framework lots have a current project combined value of up to £261 million to the appointed contractors, over the initial three year framework term. 

Bellway (BWY) – sees an 11% increase in the weekly reservation rate to 177 per week during the period from 1st February to 31st May. Expects to achieve an average selling price slightly in excess of £ 210,000 for the current financial year.

Small Caps

Redcentric (RCN) – has won a major new contract with an NHS partner, worth in excess of £5 million.

Plant Impact (PIM) – Turnover for the nine month period to April was £1.73m compared to £0.71m in the comparable prior period.

Amino Technologies (AMO) – expects to report profit before tax in line with expectations and a strong first half closing net cash balance of £19.7 million.

ASOS (ASC) – total sales up by 31% at £729.8 million in the three months to May. Warns that a higher mix of UK and European sales, with lower retail margins, together with increased levels of promotional activity, reduces EBIT margin guidance to c.4.5% from c.6.5% for the current financial year.   

Caza Oil & Gas (CAZA) – has drawn an advance of $10,000,000 pursuant to its Note Purchase Agreement with Apollo Investment Corporation. Has now drawn an aggregate of $45,000,000 from the facility.