Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

United shares suffer on profits warning

Russell Hotten
Tuesday 24 May 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UNITED Carriers, the parcels and freight company that joined the stock market three months ago, issued a profits warning yesterday that sent its shares tumbling 33p to 115p.

The company, floated at 153p a share, blamed tough trading in April and said lost business would not be recouped in the year. Profits for this year would be 'somewhat less' than 1993's pounds 4.1m.

Analysts had forecast about pounds 4.8m. One said: 'It does not sound right that a company should be making a major trading statement on the basis of one month's figures. They are going to lose a lot of friends.'

Allan Binks, chairman, said in February that with the continuing UK economic recovery United was 'well- placed to take advantage of its potential for profitable growth in the future'.

United's directors were yesterday said to be in meetings and not available for comment. A company statement said freight volumes were down 5 per cent in April. United also lost business because it did not react fast enough to rivals' price cuts.

Business in February and March was on target, and the cash position remained satisfactory, the statement said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in