Key events54s agoHalfords profits boosted by demand for aircon services1h agoIntroduction: Asian technology shares ride high on AI optimism after Nvidia’s ‘stunning’ resultsHalfords profits boosted by demand for aircon servicesAlex DanielA Halfords store front. Photograph: Halfords/PAHalfords shares are soaring this morning after the bike and car parts retailer raised its profit forecast for the year, partly after scorching summer weather drove demand for its airconditioning services.
The company said it has seen “strong demand in seasonal categories” that was “in part reflecting unusually warm summer weather”.
A spokesperson later confirmed this included air conditioning services, such as regassing air con units, along with cycling, and touring and camping equipment. Shares jumped more than 10% on Thursday morning.
Analysts at Peel Hunt, one of Halfords’ brokers, said the warm weather added around £5m to its profit in the first half of the year, with “extremely strong” sales in the three categories.
They added:
