Kingfisher Sees Shares Surge on Improved Profit Forecast

Despite weak demand for big-ticket items, Kingfisher reports positive trends in seasonal sales and housing market recovery.

Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix, upgraded its full-year profit forecast to £510m-£550m, boosting shares by 7%.
Half-year revenues fell by 2.4% to £6.8bn, with significant declines in big-ticket items like kitchens and bathrooms.
Seasonal product sales improved in July and August, offsetting earlier poor performance due to cooler spring and summer weather.
UK and Ireland like-for-like sales dipped 0.2%, while France saw a 7.2% drop amid ongoing political uncertainty.
Kingfisher plans to expand its smaller Screwfix City stores, with aims to open 100 across major UK and Ireland cities.