LONDON (ShareCast) - Pubs and brewers were very much in focus Thursday after Greene King (LSE: GNK.L - news) profits beat forecasts and
it said sales were up at the start of its new financial year.
Profit before tax and exceptional items for the 52 weeks ended 3 May fell 15% from the previous year to £118.5m, but that was ahead of the £115m predicted.
The recent warm weather helped like-for-like sales at its managed pubs rise 5.2% in the eight weeks to 28 June, and jump 10.2% at its Belhaven pubs in Scotland.
Investors are also showing interest in Enterprise Inns (LSE: ETI.L - news) , Punch Taverns (LSE: PUB.L - news) , Marston's and JD Wetherspoon.
Intermediate Capital Group (LSE: ICP.L - news) , a leading investor in and manager of buyout debt, strengthened on news of a fully underwritten 7 for 2 rights issue to raise £351m.
Specialist computer and video games retailer Game Group (LSE: GMG.L - news) is in the doldrums though following a 15.4% drop in like for like sales in the 21 weeks to 27 June.