Workspace raises its dividend even though most occupants get rent discount
The flexible office space provider is preparing its spaces with safety measures ahead of occupants returning to work
Company
LON:WKP
Workspace Group PLC is a United Kingdom-based company that is engaged in property investment in the form of letting of business accommodation to small and medium-sized enterprises located in London and the South East of England. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had seven active subsidiaries, four of which are engaged in the Company’s core activities. LI Property Services Limited procures insurance on behalf of Workspace Group PLC. Workspace Management Limited acts as manager for all the Company’s property investment companies. Workspace Holdings Limited is an intermediate holding company.
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The flexible office space provider is preparing its spaces with safety measures ahead of occupants returning to work
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US non-farm payrolls for May provided a major surprise, increasing by 2.51mln, rather than falling by 7.5mln, as the market had been expecting.
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Waste management company Biffa is also scheduled to release its full-year results on Friday
Workspace is also releasing final results on Tuesday, with the dividend a potential risk
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The first week of June will also bring the all-important US non-farm payroll data
"We appreciate that for many customers this will only be the start of a very challenging time"
Workspace added it will wait and see how things develop before making a decision on the final dividend.
The German bank upped its target for the FTSE 250-listed stock to 1,300p from 1,200p, with the shares currently trading at 1,279p
Berenberg said shares look expensive and called "market uncertainty" the reason for the recent flexible workspace craze
Profits sagged 2.5% to £99.1mln in the last six months, which the landlord said was down to it making no profit on property disposals in the recent period
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Footsie closed on Thursday nearly 21 points lower at 7,509.
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The day ahead includes full-year results from Dart Group and US inflation data
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Last month Kier issued a profit warning, so investors will be watching wearily as Thursday's trading update lands.
The group lifted its dividend by 20% due to a "strong financial performance and positive outlook”
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The UK blue-chip share index finished up around four points at 7,218
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Budget airline easyJet is expected to exit the FTSE 100 index after the latest quarterly review, while JD Sports is seen taking its place among the blue-chips
Aside from Land Securities, the German bank’s analysts also upgraded ratings for mid-cap property firms Derwent London and Great Portland Estates both to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ too
Hopkins, who has been at the helm since April 2012, said his decision to step aside was “purely on personal grounds” and that he intends to keep hold of his Workspace shares
Berenberg's analysts concluded: “Capital values and rents are at all-time highs and have begun to turn, while increasing tenant expectations are putting pressure on operating margins and increasing building obsolescence”
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The UK's premier share index finished down over 27 points at 6,834