If only
SSP Group (LSE: SSPG) operates catering and retail units at airports, motorway service areas and railway stations in more than 30 countries around the world.
In September, the company said that it expected full-year revenue to be 11.4% higher than last year after an increase in passenger numbers at airports boosted its sales in the final quarter. Total group revenue for the quarter to 30 September is expected to rise by about 14.8%.
Be glad you didn't
Marston's (LSE: MARS) is a British brewery and pub operator with over 1,700 pubs in the UK. In the first half of this financial year, revenue increased by 2% to £452m while operating profit increased by 5% to £72m.
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But pre-tax profit was only £36.7m, due to interest costs from its heavy debt load. This, combined with the firm's level of capital expenditure, has led some investors to question whether its generous dividend is sustainable.
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Smaller companies: starting to turn?The long-awaited turnaround in smaller companies is unlikely to happen just because shares are lowly-valued. However, an improving economic and interest rate backdrop could spark renewed interest in the sector. M&A activity is also providing support for the smaller companies sector
