Barclays banking on profit boost

Nike’s student runaway winner

BARCLAYS is expected to post a £1.7billion net profit and raise its defences against corporate raider Ed Bramson, at its full year results on Thursday.

Analysts believe it bounced back into profit in 2018 due to cost cutting, fewer loans going bad and an improvements from its investment bank.

The previous year it fell £1.7billion into the red due to the loss it took on the sale of its African business and US President Donald Trump’s tax cut. It is thought that the bank will point to its results and say that investors should keep faith with chief executive Jes Staley (pictured) and not be seduced by Bramson, who wants a seat on Barclays’ board. If he gets it, he will push for it to sell off a number of businesses and dismantle its investment bank.

On Tuesday HSBC is tipped to post a rise in annual profits of 26.7 per cent to £10.7billion. It is thought Lloyds will report profits of £4.2billion, up

39.1 per cent on last year. NIKE is the brand most admired by students due to the quality of its products and innovation, research shows.

According to students group Campus Society, the US sportswear giant was the most highly rated brand followed by Apple, Adidas, British internet fashion pioneer Asos and retailer Zara.

Product quality was the key deciding factor, with 87 per cent of students saying it helped form their views on brands. Innovation and inspiring content at 34 and 33 per cent respectively were also cited by students.

Surprisingly, the environment and the impact on society each were cited by just 13 per cent of students.

Campus Society founder Rashid Ajami said: “Nike, Apple and Adidas are renowned for quality, and they communicate in compelling campaigns that resonate with a younger audience.”