If only you’d invested in: Hiscox
Hiscox is a group of companies that operate in the insurance markets in the UK and Europe. In February it reported reduced profits for 2017.
Hiscox (LSE: HSX) is a group of companies that operate in the insurance markets in the UK and Europe. In February it reported reduced profits for 2017 (down to £30.8m from £354.5m in 2016), which it blamed on the £160m it had reserved for insurance claims in a "historic year for catastrophes".
Earnings per share also dropped to 9.3p from 119.8p. During the same period, gross written premiums rose to £2.55bn, up from £2.4bn the year before, while net premiums earned hit £1.88bn, compared with £1.68bn in 2016. Hiscox also increased its dividend by 5.5%.
Be glad you didn't buy
Mears Group (LSE: MER) is a social-housing repairs and maintenance service provider. In March it reported a 7% decline in operating profits for 2017, down to £37m, while group revenue decreased 4% to £900m. It blamed this on the fatal fire at Grenfell Tower, which delayed planned work. This also sent housing revenues down 3% to £766m.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Meanwhile, the order book fell to £2.6bn from £3.1bn as Mears had a slow period of securing new contracts. Despite this, and due to positive results at its home-care division, the firm raised its dividend by 3% to 12p per share.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Alice grew up in Stockholm and studied at the University of the Arts London, where she gained a first-class BA in Journalism. She has written for several publications in Stockholm and London, and joined MoneyWeek in 2017.
-
Nationwide Building Society launches £175 switching deal – who is eligible?
Nationwide Building Society has launched a new current account switching deal. We look at whether you are eligible, and how to get the free cash.
-
Barclays launches £500 cashback offer for ISAs - but there's a catch. Here's how it works
Barclays is looking to attract savers to its cash ISA range but you need a lot of money to get the full reward