Once-high-flying Retailer ASOS Falls after FTSE 250 Relegation

FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Once-high-flying Retailer ASOS Falls after FTSE 250 Relegation

FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smartphone with an ASOS app and a keyboard are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

ASOS, the British online fashion pioneer valued at more than 7 billion pounds ($8.8 billion) just over two years ago, has been relegated from the FTSE 250 index of mid-sized companies, illustrating the sharp decline in its fortunes.

It shares fell 3% to a 12-year low of 333 pence in early deals on Thursday, giving it a market value of about 400 million pounds, following the quarterly reshuffle by FTSE Russell. It will move to the FTSE SmallCap index on June 16.

The company, like rival Boohoo, grew rapidly as 20-somethings around the world snapped up its fast fashion, and demand surged again during the pandemic when high street rivals were closed.

But it has been hit by supply chain issues, high product returns, increased competition and a cost-of-living squeeze. Earlier this month it posted a first-half loss of 87.4 million pounds.

British Land was the only company relegated from the FTSE 100 index in the June quarterly review, FTSE Russell said. It will be replaced by engineering group IMI.



Puma Reports Q3 Sales Increase on Rising Running and Soccer Shoes Demand

The logo of German sports goods firm Puma is seen on a shoe after the company's annual news conference in Herzogenaurach February 20, 2014. (Reuters)
The logo of German sports goods firm Puma is seen on a shoe after the company's annual news conference in Herzogenaurach February 20, 2014. (Reuters)
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Puma Reports Q3 Sales Increase on Rising Running and Soccer Shoes Demand

The logo of German sports goods firm Puma is seen on a shoe after the company's annual news conference in Herzogenaurach February 20, 2014. (Reuters)
The logo of German sports goods firm Puma is seen on a shoe after the company's annual news conference in Herzogenaurach February 20, 2014. (Reuters)

German sportswear maker Puma on Wednesday reported a 5% rise in currency-adjusted sales for the third quarter as it sold more running and soccer shoes.

Quarterly currency-adjusted sales rose to 2.31 billion euros ($2.48 billion), broadly stable from a year earlier but short of the 2.36 billion euros expected by analysts, according to LSEG data, as negative effects from foreign exchange rates continued to weigh on the business.

Footwear sales were up 9.3%.

Demand for the recently relaunched Formula 1-inspired "Speedcat" shoe was strong, CEO Arne Freundt said in a statement.

The company confirmed its full-year outlook for currency adjusted revenue in mid single-digit percentage, and core profit (EBIT) of between 620 million to 670 million euros, citing a strong order book for the remainder of the year.