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Preview: Full steam ahead for Admiral Group PLC

Published: 05:18 17 Aug 2016 BST

Crumpled car

Confused.com owner and car insurance specialist Admiral Group PLC (LON:ADM) could well have mixed news for shareholders.

Numis Securities expects the interims to be good overall, with the insurer reporting market share growth in the UK plus underlying margin improvements, but the picture could be less bright for the Confused.com business and the loss-making international arm.

The broker expects the number of UK customers to have risen 8% year-on-year, as the company builds on the 4% growth in the second half of last year.

Numis reckons the dividend will be hiked 22% to 62p.

Shares in Lookers PLC (LON:LOOK) plunged from 146p to 95p in the two days following the EU referendum vote, and although they have recovered since to around 130p, it is clear that the Brexit fall-out if of concern to the market in the context of the car dealer’s business.

Last week the company announced it would dispose of its parts business for £120mln with a view to investing the proceeds in acquiring more dealerships.

Announcements expected

InterimsAdmiral Group PLC (LON:ADM), Apax Global Alpha Ltd (LON:APAX), Balfour Beatty PLC (LON:BBY), Gem Diamonds Limited (LON:GEMD), Lookers PLC (LON:LOOK)

Trading statementImperial Brands PLC (LON:IMB)

 

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