Debenhams says profit guidance ‘no longer valid’ as refinancing talks drag on
The struggling British department store saw its share price take a tumble on Tuesday after it issued the profit warning, blaming the poor economic outlook and high financing costs for its lacklustre performance.
Debenhams warned investors on Tuesday that profit guidance the company provided in January is ‘no longer valid’, with the British department store blaming macroeconomic uncertainties and increased financing costs for its failure to meet market expectations.
Despite the profit warning, the company’s CEO Sergio Bucher said that the business is making good progress with stakeholder discussions that will allow it to find a ‘firm footing for the future’.
But he did admit that this restructuring process will still require the shutdown of around 50 stores across the UK in the medium-term.
Debenhams restructuring drags on
In February, the department store managed to secure a £40 million emergency financing package that gave it more time to restructure the ailing business and helped it avoid collapse.
‘Our priority is to secure the best outcome for the business and all our stakeholders, whilst minimising the number of store closures and job losses,’ Bucher said.
‘To do this, as we have said before, we will need the support of both landlords and local authorities to address our rents, rates and lease commitments.’
The company believes that by following this cost-cutting programme it can make an annualised saving of around £80 million. Debenhams is also expecting its first ranges resulting from its sourcing partnership with Li & Fung to hit stores this quarter.
Debenhams share price takes a tumble after profit warning
Following the trading update, Debenhams share price tumbled 12% on Tuesday morning, with the slowly clawing back its losses to trade 2% down as of 4:00pm GMT.
In the six months to March 2 the department store saw its gross transaction value had fallen by 5.4% compared with the same period a year prior, with UK sales declining 6% over that time.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
See an opportunity to trade?
Go long or short on more than 17,000 markets with IG.
Trade CFDs on our award-winning platform, with low spreads on indices, shares, commodities and more.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only
