Goals, mixers and gold

London's blue-chip stocks began the week higher on the back of a positive start in Asia and ahead of a week packed with economic news, including Wednesday's Budget from Chancellor George Osborne.

“In common with many Premiership managers, Goals Soccer Centres had a disappointing 2015,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“The group, which runs 47 outdoor small-sided soccer centres, including one in California, plunged into the red after total sales fell by 4.9%. Goals is facing stiff competition from new grant-aided full size 3G pitches with league operators having the advantage of offering lower prices because they do not have to invest capital in providing their own facilities. Goals has been looking at every aspect of its business to develop a new strategy to improve performance and has seen a modest increase in like-for-like sales in the first nine weeks of this year. But it was not enough to convince investors and its share slipped further in early trading.

“Premium carbonated mixers group Fever-Tree’s full year results fizzed with revenues rising by 71% and adjusted earnings jumping by 82%. The group’s on-going success is driven by a global consumer desire and demand to drink premium mixers to complement their premium spirits. 

“Landore Resources is to carry out further trenching and sampling at a new gold zone at its Junior Lake property in Ontario. Drilling in December intersected a wide zone of gold mineralisation close to surface and this has been reaffirmed by a follow-up programme in February.”

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