Fashion retailer exceeds expectations with pre-Christmas sales

  • Next PLC raises pretax profit guidance after better-than-expected sales in Christmas period
  • Full-price sales for the year ending Jan. 27 expected to be GBP4.78 billion
  • Next expects pretax profit of GBP905 million for fiscal 2024
  • Fifth hike to Next’s guidance this year
  • Full-price sales for fiscal 2025 expected to rise 2.5%

Next PLC has raised its pretax profit guidance after reporting better-than-expected sales in the pre-Christmas business period. The fashion retailer, considered a bellwether for the sector in the U.K., now expects pretax profit of GBP905 million for fiscal 2024, up from the previous guidance of GBP885 million. Full-price sales for the year ending Jan. 27 are projected to reach GBP4.78 billion, compared to the previous estimate of GBP4.74 billion. This marks the fifth time Next has increased its guidance this year. Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, the company anticipates a 2.5% increase in full-price sales and a 6% rise in group sales, taking into account recent acquisitions. Pretax profit is expected to reach GBP960 million, excluding amortization. Next also plans to carry out buybacks totaling GBP275 million in the coming year.

Public Companies: Next PLC (NXT)
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Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides specific information about Next PLC raising its pretax profit guidance and sales performance. The information is clear and does not contain any obvious bias or misleading information. However, the article is quite short and lacks in-depth analysis or additional context.

Noise Level: 7
Justification: The article provides some information about Next PLC raising its profit guidance and sales performance, but it lacks in-depth analysis, evidence, and actionable insights. It mainly focuses on financial figures and does not explore the consequences of the company’s decisions or hold powerful people accountable. The article also lacks scientific rigor and intellectual honesty as it does not provide any supporting data or examples. Overall, the article contains some relevant information but lacks depth and critical analysis.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The financial markets that may be impacted by this news article are the fashion retail sector in the UK and companies such as Next PLC.

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: This news article pertains to financial topics as it discusses Next PLC’s pretax profit guidance and sales performance. However, there is no mention of any extreme events or their impact.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com www.retailsector.co.uk