U.K. Profit Warnings Hit Four-Year Peak in 2019, EY Says

(Bloomberg) -- Changing consumption habits caused by new technology contributed to more British companies warning they were falling short of profit forecasts last year than at any time since 2015, according to a report by consultants EY.

British firms issued 313 profit warnings in 2019, with consumer discretionary businesses--including retail and travel and leisure--, industrial support services, software services and construction and materials hit the hardest.

The number of listed companies warning in 2019 was also the highest in 18 years, marginally above the figure of 2008, the report showed.

“The U.K. economy isn’t in recession,” Alan Hudson, EY’s head of U.K. and Ireland restructuring division, said in the report. “But we could argue that several sectors are, due to rapid structural changes that are amplifying economic stresses.”

While last year proved to be a tough one for many industries, 2020 might bring a silver lining.

“The easing of domestic political tension, combined with additional fiscal spending, should boost earnings, helping more companies to meet depressed earnings expectations,” according to Hudson.

To contact the reporter on this story: Irene García Pérez in London at igarciaperez@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Vivianne Rodrigues at vrodrigues3@bloomberg.net, Chris Vellacott

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