Business
all 106 sites to shut 10 September
Beefeater will close all 106 of its UK restaurants on Thursday 10 September, owner Whitbread has confirmed, as part of a five-year plan the group says will deliver £250 million of cost savings.
Brewers Fayre’s 89 sites will stop trading after evening service on 7 September. Whitbread’s other branded restaurant formats, Bar + Block, Cookhouse + Pub and Table Table, will close on 3 September.
The FTSE 100 group first set out the restructuring on 30 April, when it said it intended to become a pure-play hotel business focused on Premier Inn.
In a statement published in June, Whitbread said the change “will involve exiting all of our remaining branded restaurants, which trade under brands including Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, a number of which will be converted into approximately 600 additional Premier Inn rooms, with the remainder expected to be sold as going concerns”.
The company said the proposals, which are subject to consultation, “would result in a reduction of around 3,800 roles of a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000”. Whitbread said it recruits around 15,000 people a year and expects “to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected”, adding that it would look to redeploy as many staff as possible.
The exit follows Whitbread’s Accelerating Growth Plan, announced in 2024, which converted more than 200 branded restaurants into hotel rooms and introduced an integrated restaurant in each hotel. Whitbread said that format “has proved highly popular with guests”.
Searches for “Beefeater UK restaurant shutdown” rose by 5,000 per cent on Google Trends after the closure dates were confirmed.
The closures come as the licensed trade continues to contract. Analysis from CGA by NIQ found the number of licensed premises across the UK fell to 98,609 by the end of March, a net loss of 305 venues since December, with casual dining restaurant numbers down 0.9 per cent in the first quarter.
Richard Hunt, director at Liquidation Centre, said the cost programme showed “a proactive effort to protect the long-term health of the business” but would not resolve the group’s wider trading position on its own.
“While reducing costs can significantly improve resilience during challenging trading conditions, it is not a cure-all,” Hunt said. “Businesses cannot simply cut their way to sustainable growth, they must also continue to attract customers, remain competitive and adapt to changing market trends. If these wider challenges persist, further restructuring may still be required by the company in the future.”
Hunt said closing underperforming sites “can improve the financial health of a business, but it only creates long-term value if the remaining estate is stronger, more profitable and better aligned with what customers want”.
He said maintaining large estates of physical locations had become increasingly challenging for established chains, and that the Beefeater closures “reflect the wider challenges facing the casual dining industry rather than an isolated issue”.
“Many consumers are eating out less frequently due to the cost of living, while those who do are placing greater emphasis on value, quality and the overall dining experience,” Hunt said. “Businesses that fail to evolve alongside these changing expectations risk seeing footfall decline over time and become less profitable.”
Rising food and energy costs, higher employment expenses and inflation had all increased the financial burden on operators, he said. “Even well-known brands are not immune when operating costs continue to outpace revenue growth, making it difficult to sustain less profitable locations.”
Hunt said that for operators under financial pressure, the first priority “should be carrying out a thorough review of income, expenditure and site performance”, and that renegotiating contracts and improving operational efficiency could relieve strain. Where cash flow problems become more severe, he said, early advice from a licensed insolvency practitioner “can help businesses understand their options and, in some cases, avoid formal insolvency proceedings altogether”.
Separate research reported earlier this year found a third of UK hospitality businesses were operating at a loss following April’s tax changes.
“Closures of this scale inevitably have an impact on employees, local communities and loyal customers,” Hunt said. “They also serve as a reminder that even long-established household names cannot afford to stand still.”
Business
Alpine Income Property Trust: This High-Yield REIT Looks Expensive – Until You Look Closer
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Business
Inflation Dynamics Strengthen The Case For An Extended RBA Hold
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Business
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Business
Why is Fiverr stock tumbling today?

Why is Fiverr stock tumbling today?
Business
AMD: Current Valuation Appears Hard To Justify
AMD: Current Valuation Appears Hard To Justify
Business
Growth Guarantee Scheme expansion: late payment warning
Credit management firm Darcey Quigley & Co has said the expansion of the Growth Guarantee Scheme will not deliver its full benefit while late payment continues, after the government confirmed changes that will support an additional £2 billion of SME lending a year by 2028/29.
The changes were announced on 13 July by the then chancellor, Rachel Reeves. The Growth Guarantee Scheme, run by the British Business Bank, gives lenders a 70 per cent government guarantee on commercial loans to smaller businesses of up to £2 million.
Total lending supported through the scheme will rise to £3.35 billion a year, from £1.35 billion now. The maximum loan term increases from six to 10 years for loans of up to £1.1 million, and the turnover ceiling for eligible businesses rises from £45 million to £54 million.
The British Business Bank estimates the changes will support an additional 12,000 businesses a year by 2028/29, up from 8,000, taking the total to 20,000. HM Treasury puts the gap between SME demand for finance and the amount available at between £1.6 billion and £4.1 billion a year.
Lynne Darcey Quigley, chief executive and founder of Darcey Quigley & Co, said improved access to finance was welcome, but that many businesses would not realise the full benefit if late payments continued to undermine their cash flow.
“The additional funding is a positive step that will help many businesses invest with greater confidence,” she said. “But finance should enable growth, not compensate for the cash flow pressures created by late payments. Businesses should not have to borrow simply because they are waiting for customers to pay what they owe.”
She added: “The healthiest businesses aren’t necessarily those with the biggest credit facilities, they’re the ones with predictable, reliable cash flow. Access to finance can create opportunities, but cash flow is what keeps businesses operating day to day.”
Darcey Quigley & Co said many smaller companies continue to face financial pressure because invoices remain unpaid long after agreed payment terms. The firm said the consequence is that otherwise healthy businesses turn to external finance to bridge cash flow gaps, rather than using it to fund recruitment, investment and growth.
“Businesses should never have to take on additional borrowing simply because they are waiting to be paid for work they’ve already completed,” Darcey Quigley said. “The cheapest source of funding available to any organisation is the money it has already earned. Improving payment practices and reducing debtor days can often do more to strengthen financial resilience than taking on new debt.”
The firm said its intervention comes as UK businesses continue to face rising operating costs, economic uncertainty and subdued customer demand. The Federation of Small Businesses reported this month that just one in six small firms expects to grow over the next 12 months, the lowest proportion since its Small Business Index began in 2014.
Separate legislation before parliament would introduce mandatory 60-day payment terms for companies with revenues above £54 million, backed by statutory interest at 8 percentage points above the Bank of England base rate and new enforcement powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
The British Business Bank supported a record £9.4 billion of finance for smaller firms in 2025/26, including £1.3 billion through the Growth Guarantee Scheme.
“Strong cash flow underpins every major business decision,” Darcey Quigley said. “Whether it’s hiring new staff, investing in technology or expanding into new markets, those decisions become much easier when businesses have confidence that payments will arrive when they should.
“The Government’s investment will undoubtedly help many SMEs unlock new opportunities. But long-term business resilience won’t be built through borrowing alone. It will be built by creating a business environment where companies are paid fairly, paid promptly and can confidently reinvest the money they’ve already worked hard to earn.”
Business
Varun Beverages shares jump 3% after Q1 PAT rises 15%, revenue grows 20%
According to a filing with the exchange, the company reported a 20.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue from operations (net of excise duty and GST) to Rs 8,451.23 crore in Q1 FY2027, compared with Rs 7,017.37 crore in the corresponding quarter of CY2025.
Profit after tax (PAT) rose 15.1% year-on-year to Rs 1,525.36 crore from Rs 1,325.49 crore, driven by strong volume growth across India and international markets.
Gross margin expanded by 44 basis points to 55% in Q2 CY2026, supported by a higher contribution from the international business. In India, early procurement of key raw materials and lower sugar consumption, aided by a higher mix of low- and no-sugar products, helped offset inflationary pressure on input costs.
Consolidated sales volumes rose 19.8% year-on-year to 466.7 million cases from 389.7 million cases, driven by 14.4% volume growth in India and a 38.4% increase across international markets. The international business included 11.8 million cases from the recently acquired Twizza operations in South Africa.
Depreciation rose 33.6%, primarily due to the commissioning of new plants in India last year and the acquisition of Twizza. Finance costs increased 55.8%, largely on account of the Twizza acquisition.The realization per case for beverages improved by 1.2% at the consolidated level with improved realizations in international territories.
EBITDA increased by 17.2% to Rs 23,430.4 million in Q2 CY2026 and EBITDA margins declined by 76 bps to 27.7% in Q2 CY2026 due to consolidation of Twizza business which currently has lower margins.
In India, EBITDA margins improved by 38 bps driven by operational efficiencies from healthy volume growth which were partially offset by higher other expenses primarily transportation and distribution costs.
VBL India continued to remain net debt free with a free cash of Rs 14,941 million, however, at the consolidated level net debt stood at Rs 3,730 million as on June 30, 2026, on account of acquisition of Twizza in South Africa. The company’s long-term rating for bank loan facilities from CRISIL (an S&P Global Company) is reaffirmed as CRISIL AAA/Stable.
“We are pleased to report a strong performance during this quarter across our markets. Consolidated sales volumes grew by 19.8% and, together with improved realizations, translated into a 20.4% increase in net revenue from operations. EBITDA increased by 17.2% to Rs. 23,430.4 million in Q2 CY2026,” said Ravi Jaipuria, Chairman, Varun Beverages.
Also Read | Varun Beverages’ international fizz outpaces India biz as overseas volumes surge 38%
Jaipuria also mentioned that the company entered a strategic alliance with Asahi Group Holdings to introduce the iconic CALPIS brand in India, marking their entry into the value-added fermented dairy beverage category.
In accordance to their dividend policy, the Board of Directors has approved a second interim dividend of 25% of face value, i.e., Rs 0.50 per share, resulting in a total cash outflow of approximately Rs 1,691 million.
The company has set August 1 as the record date for determining the entitlement of Equity Shareholders for receipt of the second interim dividend.
In the last one year, the stock was down 14.32% and in the last two years, the stock was down 34.84%.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
KPIT Technologies shares rise 4% ahead of Q1FY27 results
Investor attention is focused on the company’s quarterly performance, with market participants keen to assess revenue trends, operational execution, and management’s outlook for the coming quarters.
Earlier in July, KPIT Technologies’ management had provided an initial outlook for Q1FY27, highlighting that the anticipated impact on revenue would stem from multiple client-related actions. At the same time, the company outlined potential growth opportunities ahead. Based on these factors, management indicated that Q2FY27 revenue is expected to remain in a similar range to Q1FY27 revenue.
The positive movement in KPIT Tech’s stock also came amid broader strength in the Indian IT sector. The IT index witnessed gains as investors renewed their interest in technology stocks, creating a supportive environment for companies across the sector.
Beyond the headline financial figures, investors will closely track management commentary on demand trends, client engagements, growth drivers, and the company’s strategy to navigate near-term challenges while capitalising on future opportunities.
Share Price Performance
KPIT Technologies has shown signs of short-term momentum, with the stock gaining 8% over the past week. However, the broader performance remains weak, as the stock has declined 15% over the past month and is down nearly 50% over the past year, indicating continued pressure over the medium to long term.
The latest shareholding data indicates a cautious approach from institutional investors during the June 2026 quarter. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) marginally reduced their stake from 13.25% to 13.22%, while Mutual Fund holdings declined from 12.09% to 11.91% during the same period. The reduction in institutional ownership suggests a measured stance by large investors.
Valuation & Technical Outlook
From a technical perspective, KPIT Technologies is currently trading below 4 out of 8 key Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), reflecting weakness in the prevailing trend.
On the technical front, the 14-day RSI stands at 48.9, indicating a neutral momentum zone. Typically, an RSI below 30 signals oversold conditions, while an RSI above 70 indicates overbought territory. Despite the recent recovery, the stock continues to trade below key medium- and long-term moving averages, highlighting a bearish trend structure.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)
Business
Nordic American Tankers: Seems I Was Spot-On Being Bullish Last Year (NYSE:NAT)
With over a decade of institutional investment experience, I specialize in identifying growth opportunities at the intersection of technological disruption and macro-thematic energy shifts. I’ve spent the majority of that time at a hedge fund here in Rotterdam, working my way up as an analyst. My work reflects rigorous standards as I myself have a very high standard as to what I invest my money in. My primary coverage spans the technology sector—with a focus on SaaS and cloud infrastructure—and the energy and minerals markets. I tend to be very data and trend driven in my work, analyzing unit economics and supply chain gaps among a number of other often overlooked areas in business and industries.I find these offer incredible growth opportunities and are also very fun to research and follow. It’s a very active space with plenty of news coming out each week. Work is my own thoughts and research is done only by myself.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NAT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Business
Vanadium Miners News For The Month Of July 2026
The Trend Investing group includes qualified financial personnel with a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and well over 20 years of professional experience in financial markets. They search the globe for great investments with a focus on trending and emerging themes. The current focus is on electric vehicles, the EV metals supply chain, stationary energy storage and AI.They lead the investing group of the same brand name, Trend Investing. Features of the service include: Access to the Trend Investing portfolio, 7 monthly news updates, a monthly macro trends update, stock watchlist, CEO interviews, and direct access to the community and group leaders in chat.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of LARGO INC. [TSX:LGO], AUSTRALIAN VANADIUM [ASX:AVL], SYRAH RESOURCES [ASX:SYR] either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
This article is for ‘information purposes only’ and should not be considered as any type of advice or recommendation. Readers should “Do Your Own Research” (“DYOR”) and all decisions are your own. See also Seeking Alpha Terms of Use of which all site users have agreed to follow. https://about.seekingalpha.com/terms
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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