麻豆视频

IT services company Softcat (SCT) has upgraded full-year guidance after a 鈥渟trong鈥� first quarter, in which it recorded a double-digit year-on-year increase in gross profit.

Demand for AI-enabled infrastructure and orders from customers trying to mitigate memory chip shortages has boosted returns, meaning the company now expects a 鈥渕id-teens鈥� uplift in underlying operating profit, up from previous guidance of high-single-digit growth.

Broker Peel Hunt increased its operating profit forecast by 6 per cent for the current year, and by 8 per cent for each of the next two years. The company鈥檚 shares rose by 9 per cent.

Helical (HCL) has generated a flurry of positive headlines in the weeks following its March year end.

The London office developer completed the sale of 100 New Bridget Street for 拢333mn on 20 May, of which it will receive a 50 per cent share. The development was completed on budget.

It has also had recent letting activity at its offices in Aldgate and Whitechapel. 

Helical today reported net profit of 拢6mn on net rental income of 拢15mn. The total dividend of 2.5p is 50 per cent lower than in the prior year, when more disposals had enabled a higher payout. Helical has also announced a 拢5mn share buyback programme, expected to commence shortly. 

Chief executive Matthew Bonning-Snook said that it had been an 鈥渁n extremely active and productive year鈥�.

Shares were flat in early trading.