The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Thursday.
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SMALL-CAP - WINNERS
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Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd, up 7.1% at 1,440.00 pence, 12-month range 1,210p-1,515p. Group profit after tax rises 16% to $119.1 million during 2024 from $103.1 million in 2023, despite investment portfolio returns for continuing operations sinking 30% to $20.5 million from $29.1 million. Profit from continuing operations declines 48% to $11.2 million from $21.7 million, while profit from discontinued operations was 33% higher on-year at $107.9 million from $81.4 million. Further to its announcement in October, Ocean Wilsons anticipates the disposal of its 56% stake in Wilson Sons SA, which was one of its two operating subsidiaries, to complete in either Q2 or Q3. The sale to a subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co SA remains subject to ongoing regulatory proceedings. The firm ups its total dividend by 21% to 85 US cents per share, from 70 cents the year before. It proposes an upgraded dividend of 122 cents per share for 2025.
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Wickes Group PLC, up 5.4% at 180.80 pence, 12-month range 132.60p-184.20p. Pretax profit falls 44% in the year that ended December 28, slumping to £23.2 million from £41.1 million the year before. Revenue declines 1.0% to £1.54 billion from £1.55 billion, but the firm maintains its total dividend at 10.9 pence per share. ‘2024 was a year of strong progress for Wickes as our balanced business model and brand strength saw us continue to deliver for customers and take further market share,’ says Chief Executive Officer David Wood. ‘We grew volumes and share throughout the year in Retail as customers bought more of our products for their home improvement projects, however big or small. In Design and Installation, we have been encouraged by a return to growth in ordered sales in Q4 following the actions we took to enhance our customer offer and experience.’ Wickes announces a new share buyback for up to £20 million, following its completion of a £25 million buyback during the year. The firm expects its 2025 dividend to be maintained at 10.9p per share again, and notes that trading in the first eleven weeks of 202 have been in line with expectations. Wickes will release a spring trading update in mid-May.
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SMALL-CAP - LOSERS
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James Fisher & Sons PLC, down 0.1% at 327.74p, 12-month range 247.00p-371.00p. Swings to a pretax profit of £54.0 million during 2024, from a loss of £39.9 million in 2023. This is largely due to a one-off £49.5 million profit made on business disposals during the year, as well as impairment charges reducing to £5.2 million from £28.4 million and refinancing costs falling to £3.5 million from £12.2 million. Revenue, on the other hand, declines 12% to £437.7 million from £496.2 million. ‘February 2025 year-to-date trading was in line with management expectations. Subject to geopolitical uncertainties, the board remains confident on delivering further progress this year, working towards our medium-term financial targets of 10% underlying operating profit margin and 15% ROCE,’ adds CEO Jean Vernet. James Fisher declared no dividend, unchanged from 2023.
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