Big business cashes in

THE uK’s largest companies are thriving, but smaller businesses are struggling to boost profits.

profits generated by publicly traded firms climbed 4.4pc in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same time last year, the tenth successive quarter of growth. But it all came from the uK’s 40 largest companies – such as Bp, HSBC and GSK, where profits rose 11.2pc. otherwise profits fell 17.6pc, according to The Share Centre data with asset managers, industrials and general retailers worst-hit.

richard Stone, of The Share Centre, said: ‘uK shares appear to represent good value compared to historical levels and to markets elsewhere.’