Shares in Burberry (LON: BRBY) have spiked this morning after the the global luxury brand reported that it was on track to meet expectations.

Shares of Burberry spiked 4.03% to 2,143p after the announcement was made on Thursday. 14/11/19 10:54BST.

Burberry reported impressive revenue gains of 3% to £1.3 billion in the interim period, which caught shareholder appetite.

Additionally, profit before tax climbed 11% from £174 million to £193 million.

Shareholders would have been further pleased as the clothing brand saw earnings per share increase to 36.4p an increase from 31.6p a year ago.

As a result Burberry increased its dividend by three per cent to 11.3p.

The reports came as a surprise for both shareholders and market analysts as Burberry are in a period of operational and structural development.

Chief executive Marco Gobbetti said: “We are pleased with our performance in the half, as we remain on track to deliver the first phase of our strategy. New product now represents a high proportion of our assortment and the customer response has been positive delivering strong double digit growth.

“We also continued to strengthen momentum around our brand and transform our distribution. We delivered financial results in line with guidance despite the decline in Hong Kong and we confirm our outlook for FY 2020.”

Burberry said new products designed by Ricardo Tisci has boosted sales, offsetting the effect of “considerable disruption” in Hong Kong where sales plunged.

However, sales in mainland China, Korea and Japan increased, along with the UK, Europe and the US.

Steve Miley, senior market analyst at Asktraders.com, said: “Burberry’s designer Ricardo Tisci’s new collections have proved to be a hit helping Burberry through an otherwise difficult trading environment.

“Despite political disruption in the key market hub Hong Kong which experienced double digit decline in sales, an economic slowdown in China, and Brexit uncertainty Burberry is still on track to meet full year expectations.

Additionally, the ongoing saga between Hong Kong and China have led to violent demonstrations but the FTSE100 (INDEXFTSE: UKX) listed firm managed to overcome these to stun the market.

At time where brands such as Laura Ashley (LON: ALY) and the clothing sector off Marks and Spencers (LON: MKS) have seen slumps, these impressive reports will make good reading for shareholders of Burberry.

FirstGroup Plc (LON: FGP) have seen their shares crash after it was reported that their interim loss was further widened.

FirstGroup alluded to operational problems as the main contributor to this bigger loss, and an impairment on US coach operator Greyhound had contributed further.

Shares of FirstGroup Plc crashed 21.12% across Thursday trading to 101p. 14/11/19 10:39BST.

The FTSE350 (INDEXFTSE: NMXDEN) listed travel operator reported a pretax loss of £187.1 million for the six months to September, from just £4.6 million a year ago

Notably, on an adjusted basis, which strips out exceptional items, pretax profit fell 32% to £28.7 million.

The company further reported a £124.4 million impairment on its US bus operations Greyhound, and faced a reserve charge of £59.3 million for its American insurance business.

FirstGroup said it is “disappointed” with a further deterioration in the US motor claims environment which led to the increase in insurance costs.

The widened loss may worry shareholders of FirstGroup, as rivals such as National Express (LON: NEX) reported strong trading figures across financial 2019.

However, rivals such as Stagecoach (LON: SGC) have seen a tough time of 2019 and have seen slumping profits and board restructures.

FirstGroup at the end of May decided to sell Greyhound, and also announced a plan to spin off First Bus from UK operations. It said on Thursday that it has made a number of “important steps” since then in carrying out this plan.

Revenue for the half was £3.53 billion, 6.9% higher year-on-year and up 4.1% at constant currency.

All sectors delivered growth, FirstGroup said, excluding sales and withdrawals from loss-making routes.

First Rail operates three UK rail businesses which achieved 9.0% revenue growth to £1.33 billion, which may act as a consolation to shareholders.

This sector delivered 4.9% like-for-like passenger revenue growth, but FirstGroup said industry conditions remain “very challenging” due to macroeconomic uncertainty, infrastructure upgrades, and strikes from South West Rail staff.

FirstGroup has held its outlook for financial 2020, with performance on track with board expectations. “In the first half we continued to execute the clear commercial strategies in each of our divisions to ensure they deliver future progress and growth. In particular, we were pleased to have delivered another strong bid season and two complementary acquisitions in our largest business First Student, as well as the award of the West Coast Partnership to our rail venture with Trenitalia,” said Chief Executive Matthew Gregory. “We are, however, disappointed with the further deterioration in the US motor claims environment which has required an increase in insurance costs for our North American businesses.” “As ever, first half trading mainly reflects the highly seasonal nature of the group’s operations, given the timing of the North American school holidays in our First Student business. Based on current trends and underpinned by our activities to reduce the cost base further, we are confident in delivering our trading expectations for the full year,” Gregory continued.

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and John Lewis & Partners, together with Waitrose & Partners, have released their yearly advert for the festive season. Watch the advert below: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9D-uvKih_k] This year, the advert features #ExcitableEdgar who attempts to fit in with the community but finds his fire-breathing just doesn’t seem to work in a land set in ice. As always, the heartwarming ending is enough to make even the least festive of viewers excited about the upcoming Christmas season. Last week, Marks & Spencer (LON:MKS) launched its Christmas add which involves cast dancing to House of Pain’s Jump Around. As for John Lewis, #ExcitableEdgar was trending on Twitter on Thursday morning. The character even has its own account on the social media platform:

I hear a few of you have been talking about me? That explains why my ears are burning! I’m #ExcitableEdgar, star of this year’s Christmas advert from John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners! You can watch my adventure in full over on @jlandpartners and @waitrose now 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FpMwRkoTBa

— Excitable Edgar (@ExcitableEdgar) November 14, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Fans of the advert expressed their emotions around the character, which seems to have touched the hearts of many:

It’s only 7:43am & I’m already an emotional mess wishing I had my own #ExcitableEdgar https://t.co/zebgoKEtrp

— Shannon 🌙🔮🦇 (@NerdyGirlShay) November 14, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Partners have also shared their positive feelings towards the advert:

I love being a Waitrose Partner and so proud of our new Xmas Joint venture with John Lewis, check out Edgar https://t.co/wlfOIxEU0W #ExcitableEdgar #WeArePartners

— Paul Hutton (@Paulyisme) November 14, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Even Pizza Hut responded to the adventures of #ExcitableEdgar

We love Edgar, but please don’t copy him and blow your nose over our Salad Bar/Buffet.

It won’t set on fire and you will be asked to leave #ExcitableEdgar — Pizza Hut Restaurants (@pizzahutuk) November 14, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Last Christmas, the John Lewis Partnership reported an 11% growth in sales on Christmas Eve.

Shares of Nissan (TYO: 7201) have slid during Wednesday trading, as the Japanese car giant cut its full year forecast to an 11 year low.

Shares slid 0.5% to JPY711. 13/11/19 14:47BST.

The update provided to Nissan shareholders reported a 70% in quarterly profit and announced the drastic cut in full year forecast.

The global automotive industry has had mixed experiences, where firms such as Renault (EPA: RNO) have cut their annual guidance and Japanese rival Suzuki (TYO: 7269) reported a quarterly slump.

Amid the slowing demand, Peugeot SA (EPA: UG) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (NYSE: FCAU) have agreed a $50 million tie up deal.

Nissan’s demand was hit by a strong yen and falling sales. Its poor performance highlights stagnation in the progression of the global automotive industry.

Nissan outlined a new executive team appointment, who are set to takeover on December 1st following a string of poor performances.

The scale of the recovery that is needed is evident as Nissan reported their second worst quarter performance in 15 years.

After the appointment of Chairman Ghosn, business has gone both after facing falling profits, uncertainty over management and tensions with shareholders.

Operating profit at Japan’s second-biggest automaker by sales came in at 30 billion yen ($275 million) in July-September compared to 101.2 billion yen a year ago.

“Our sales in China outpaced the market, but sales in other key regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Japan underperformed,” Stephen Ma, a corporate vice president who will become chief financial officer next month, told reporters.

Slow demand for cars in the US and China, has been fueled by the ongoing trade war. Both these countries happen to be the worlds biggest auto markets, which has led to the global slump.

“We are revisiting all our assumptions, and as you can see that is why we revised down our forecast for sales volume for the full year,” Ma said.

Nissan slashed its full-year operating profit forecast by 35% to 150 billion yen, which would be its worst full-year performance in 11 years, which will alert shareholders.

Taylor Wimpey (LON: TW) have reported strong second half demand for their housebuilding services, despite tough market trading conditions.

Shares of Taylor Wimpey dropped 2.53% despite the update, trading at 165p. 13/11/19 14:33BST.

Britains third largest homebuilder gave shareholders reassurance that they were not going to let Brexit complications and external market issues affect trading.

Taylor Wimpey reported strong second half demands in a market where competitors such as Barratt Developments (LON: BDEV) have seen slow sales in their most recent update.

Additionally, Galliford Try (LON: GFRD) and Bovis Homes (LON: BVS) agreed a merger deal in order to combat the slump in demand and slow trading period.

Taylor Wimpey did warn homebuilders about potential rising costs in 2020, however in the Wednesday statement, the firm speculated that cost inflation may reduce in 2020 instead.

The FTSE100 (INDEXFTSE: UKX) listed home builder, reported a 12.5% rise in its orders, to £2.7 billion as it exploited strong demand coupled with lower interest rates and the governments Help to Buy scheme boosting demand.

“Forward indicators for sales have remained at healthy levels albeit we have seen some increasing customer caution, particularly in the higher-priced markets of London and the South East, as a result of the ongoing political and economic uncertainty,” the company said.

Total order book, excluding joint ventures, stood at 10,433 homes as at November 10 from 9,843 homes a year earlier.

“The key takeaway from Taylor Wimpey’s latest trading update is that the housebuilder says build cost inflation is starting to soften and that this trend will continue in the coming months,” Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said.

“This is significant as the combination of rising costs and stalling house prices have been putting pressure on the profitability of the wider industry and led the market to question its shaky foundations.

“The disappointment is that these cost pressures are not yet easing rapidly enough for Taylor Wimpey to maintain its previous margin guidance, even if overall guidance is maintained.”

Wizz Air Holdings PLC (LON: WIZZ) have lifted their profit and capacity forecasts in an update to shareholders on Wednesday, as the budget airline reported increasing demand in first half trading.

Chief Executive Officer József Váradi said the airline was increasing its capacity growth rate to 22%, from 20% promised in July, which was another piece of good news for shareholders.

This comes at a very volatile time in the airline industry, where businesses face stiff competition, regulation and hesitating demand.

The recent demise of Thomas Cook (LON:TCG) a few months back along with big players such as IAG (LON: IAG) and Ryanair (LON: RYA) cutting their medium term profit forecasts has seen skepticism in the market.

In a time like this where competitors have been faltering, the news will please shareholders even more. Varadi said that he remained “bullish” about the London market.

“London is the single biggest travel market in the world, and I don’t think this is going to change any time soon, no matter what happens to the country, what happens throughout Brexit. “We are very keen on positioning ourselves strategically to the London market”, he added.

Wizz, which mainly flies to European destinations, said that net profit for the financial year 2020 would be between €335 million euros to €350 million, prior to this the range was €320 million to €350 million.

Wizz, which competes with Lufthansa’s (ETR: LHA) Eurowings brand at European airports such as Vienna, is performing well considering the industry struggles such as rising fuel costs, weaker demand and Boeing’s (NYSE: BA) 737 delivery delays.

“Despite rapidly rising fuel costs, Brexit uncertainty and chronic overcapacity in the sector, Wizz Air was still able to report record financial results for the first half of the year,” eToro analyst Adam Vettese, said.

Vettese added ““Wizz Air is leaving the rest of its low-cost rivals behind,” he said.

Toshiba Corp (TYO: 6502) have given shareholders relief in their most recent trading update by producing strong profit figures and pledges to buy subsidiary businesses.

Despite the impressive update, shares of Toshiba slipped 0.26% during Wednesday business to JPY3,770. 13/11/19 13:41BST.

The Japanese tech giant posted its highest quarterly profit in two years, and also explained plans to buy out three listed subsidiaries.

Toshiba have had a tough time in financial 2019, as the firm was hit by accounting scandals and a management crisis.

Toshiba’s energy and infrastructure divisions drove the profit increase, as the company cut costs and reined in low-margin projects.

Ever since Toshiba went bankrupt in its US based nuclear power business, there has been a policy of recovery. This was evident with the sale of its prized memory chip division.

“We’ve changed everything, from marketing, procurement to the ways we take orders and produce products,” Toshiba CEO Nobuaki Kurumatani told Reuters.

Kurumanti alluded to plans in turning the tech conglomerate into a leaner company, adding “We are now compiling detailed strategies to boost the operating profit margin to 6% in three years (from 1% in the last fiscal year),”

Toshiba boasted operating profit figures of 44.23 billion yen for the second quarter ending in September.

This figure was the highest recorded, which was a rise of 6.25 billion yen just one year a go, and was the highest since the same period in 2017.

This figure also beat analyst and market figures of 25.97 billion yen as estimated by Refinitiv.

Toshiba maintained its profit forecast for the year ending March at 140 billion yen, versus 35.4 billion yen a year earlier, in line with the target the company set in its five-year plan.

Additionally, Toshiba have pledged to buy out subsidiaries such as Toshiba Plant Systems & Services (TYO: 1983), marine electrical systems maker Nishishiba Electric (TYO: 6591) and chip-making equipment maker NuFlare Technology (TYO: 6256) to turn them into wholly owned subsidiaries.

The buyouts, which will cost a total of 200 billion yen ($1.83 billion), as shareholders have pushed for action to take control of Toshiba’s portfolio.

Its five-year plan aims for 8-10% operating profit margin for the year ending in March 2024 by focusing on energy, social infrastructure and service businesses.

Unilever (LON: ULVR) have announced the appointment of a new Chairman, following an update to shareholders on Wednesday.

Shares of Unilever jumped 0.74% during Wednesday trading, to 4,631p. 13/11/19 13:23BST.

Danish born Nils Andersen will be named Chairman, following his strong business background in consumer goods and logistics.

Unilever, like many global firms have seen a slump in trading and business following tough market conditions and political tensions.Henceforth, the appointment comes at no surprise timing for the consumer goods company, who have seen a tough period of trading in all departments.

Andersen has been a non-executive director on the Unilever board since 2015, and joins a new CFO appointment in Alan Jope, who took the role earlier this year.

Andersen replaces Marjin Dekkers, who is set to stand down after more than three years as Unilever Chariman.

Both Jope and Andersen come into their roles at a time where the FTSE100 listed firm (INDEXFTSE: UKX) have faced a slowdown in Indian and Chinese business, two of the biggest markets.

The Chinese-US trade war and slow domestic demand in both economies have slowed down trading, which Unilever alluded to in their updates for shareholders.

Andersen has experience working with AP Moller Maerskv (OTCMKTS: AMKBY) and Carlsberg A/S (CPH: CARL-B) and has boasted significant achievements at both firms.

Andersen currently is part of Unilever’s audit committee and serves as chairman of Dutch paint company Akzo Nobel NV (AMS: AKZA) and privately held Danish retailer Salling Group A/S. He is also a non-executive director at BP (LON: BP).

It has been a huge honour to serve as chairman of Unilever and I am very proud of the work we continue to do as a truly purpose-driven company,” Dekkers said. “My decision to step down has been a difficult one to make but I look forward to seeing Unilever go from strength to strength under Nils as chairman.” “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Marijn for his strong leadership and the contribution he has made as chairman,” Andersen said. “I am very proud to have been asked to succeed Marijn and I look forward to working with the board and the Unilever Leadership team to support the company’s continued growth.”

J D Wetherspoon plc (LON: JDW) have seen their shares spike following a positive quarterly update, coming at a time where competitors have seen slumps across the market. Shares of Wetherspoon spiked 1.85% on Wednesday to 1,553p. 13/11/19 12:57BST. The British pub chain boasted strong sales figures, which increased across the quarter as customers spent more its nearly 900 pubs across Britain and Ireland. The company reported higher demand for coffee, pink gin, real ale and breakfast. Additionally beer sales rose significantly as British consumer trends changed by the quarter. Wetherspoons reiterated their full year performance to be kept in line with annual expectations after a strong financial 2019, with increasing sales and continued political activism headlines from Chairman Tim Martin. In a market where competitors such as Greene King (LON: GNK) and Whitbread (LON: WTB) have been hit headlines of slowing business and takeover bids, Wetherspoons seem to be performing well. Additionally, while Slug and Lettuce owner Stonegate agreed to buy Ei Group (LON: EIG) for £1.27 billion, which may stiffen competition to the Wetherspoon The FTSE250 (INDEXFTSE: MCX) listed firm have been battling increased costs due to a mandatory minimum wage hike, higher property prices and power bills, however these rises were not to affect performance. J D wetherspoon’s like-for-like sales rose 5.3%, which exceeded both market and analyst expectations. “This is a strong start to the year in our view, ahead of our forecast revenue growth of 4.0% for the full year, but we are mindful of the early stage of the year, challenging market backdrop…and potential changes to national living wage,” Investec (LON: INVP) said in a note. Additionally, Chairman Tim Martin gave his opinions on Britains stance with the EU saying, “I strongly believe that the UK economy will be better off on the basis of ‘no-deal’ rather than the deal proposed by the government,” “The trenchant debate surrounding Brexit, thanks to our democratic freedom, has, in my view, exploded myths and increased knowledge on key subjects like trade, tariffs, government and Europe – on a vast scale,” Tim Martin continued. “For example, the pugnacious Jean-Marc Puissesseau, head of Calais ports, has completely undermined the false presumption that the channel ports will seize up post Brexit, without a ‘deal’.”