Howie Hodgson’s Swan 75 sailboat, True, has claimed a clean sweep of the major honours in the 2026 Antigua Bermuda Race, navigating a tactically bruising 935-mile course that left nearly half the fleet stranded at sea.
In what will be remembered as one of the most unpredictable editions of the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic, True secured line honours, the prestigious Warrior Trophy for first under IRC, and first place under CSA.
The race was defined by an unusual weather pattern that defied traditional expectations. The legendary strong tradewinds were absent at the start, replaced by a tentative 10-knot breeze that persisted for the opening days.
While the leaders eventually punched through a front—encountering 20-30 knot squalls that propelled them toward the finish—those further back were not so fortunate. A lack of pressure left the trailing pack “parked” in light air. The consequences were stark: of the seven starters, three failed to make the eight-day time limit. In a cruel twist of fate, the yacht Rock n’ Roll was just eight miles from the finish line when the clock finally ran out.
Despite the disparity in size, the battle at the front was remarkably tight. True found itself shadowed for much of the journey by Michael Hennessy’s scow-bow Class40, Scowling Dragon. Despite their vastly different waterlines, the two boats were almost equally rated under the CSA system.
Hennessy, whose Scowling Dragon took second place and the trophy for the first double-handed boat, noted that had the conditions offered just a few more hours of fast reaching, the Class40 might have bridged the 20-mile gap to the Swan 75.
Government hosts mental health debate for students
On May 11, 2026, the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors hosted a Youth Mental Health Debate at the Dr. E.F. Gordon Memorial Hall, focusing on the motion: “This House believes that a child’s right to privacy when accessing health services outweighs a parent’s right to be informed.” The event was part of the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month campaign and was organized by the Youth Advisory Working Group (YAWG), a youth-led committee under the Youth Mental Health Plan 2027, sponsored by the Mirrors Programme under the Department of Child and Family Services.
The Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, opened the debate by highlighting the importance of creating safe spaces for young people to speak openly about mental health and access the support they need. Minister Furbert praised the students for their courage, leadership, and willingness to engage with one of the most complex issues facing young people today, stating, “Your courage, your conviction, and your willingness to wrestle with the hardest conversations of our time is exactly what continues to move this country forward.” She also emphasized that addressing youth mental health requires listening to young people and ensuring their voices remain central in shaping policy and support systems across Bermuda.
Following the debate, an Expertise Panel offered reflections from professional perspectives spanning debate, child and family services, clinical mental health, public health, and legal/policy reform. The panel included Mr. Gladstone Thompson, Mrs. Kennette Robinson, Dr. Anna Neilson-Williams, Dr. Alison Daniels, and Ms. Shakira Dill-Francois.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alison Daniels, Programme Manager for the Child Care Regulation Programme, said: “What we witnessed was more than a debate, it was young people stepping into the centre of a national conversation that affects their lives, their wellbeing, and their future. This event forms part of the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Anti‑Stigma Month, and it builds on the Youth Advisory Board’s recent presentation to senior government leaders on youth mental health legislation, access to care, and the barriers young people face when seeking support.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I want to thank our families, our schools, our community organisations, and the wider public for standing with Bermuda’s young people. Your support strengthens the Ministry’s efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build a stronger culture of wellbeing across the island.”
The debate attracted a full audience, including His Excellency the Governor, Andrew Murdoch, The Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, The Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, The Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, educators, youth programme leaders, and family members. The recording of the debate will soon be available for viewing on CITV’s YouTube channel.
The PHC Lady Zebras have delivered an emphatic opening-day message to the rest of the league, dispatching a resilient Under-17 Select side 4-1 under the floodlights of Bernard Park.
In a contest that pitted veteran experience against youthful exuberance, it was the clinical edge of the Warwick-based side that proved the difference, as they kick-started the Bermuda Football Association’s Women’s Division in dominant fashion.
The tactical chess match burst into life in the 21st minute when Adia Gibbons found a pocket of space in the area, showing composure to slot home and give the Zebras an early advantage.
The national prospects of the Under-17 Select side refused to be overawed, however. Displaying immediate character, they hauled themselves level just two minutes later through a composed finish from Priya Dill, momentarily stunning the senior opposition.
The parity was short-lived as the Zebras intensified their high press, squeezing the life out of the Under-17s’ build-up play. Ja’Shay Trott restored the lead in the 39th minute, and the momentum swung decisively toward PHC just before the interval. Keunna Dill notched her first of the evening in the 42nd minute, ensuring her side headed into the tunnel with a comfortable 3-1 cushion.
The second half transitioned into a more tactical affair as the youngsters looked to tighten their defensive shape. Yet, the Zebras remained relentless, and the decisive blow arrived in the 53rd minute.
Keunna Dill showcased her predatory instincts once again, finding the net for a second time to effectively end the contest as a spectacle. While the Under-17s continued to show promise in their tactical development, the physical superiority and efficiency of the Lady Zebras ensured all three points were secured.
The prestigious Montverde Academy Athletic Honors Night has crowned its champions for the academic year, with Bermudian talent once again taking center stage at the Florida-based institution.
In an evening dedicated to celebrating elite-level student-athletes, Zydon Furbert emerged as one of the standout names, securing a major individual accolade as he continues to make his mark on the United States high school circuit.
Furbert has been officially named the Montverde Academy 10th Grade Male Athlete of the Year. The award serves as a testament to his versatility and dominance across multiple disciplines during his sophomore year.
A dual-sport threat, Furbert has become a pivotal figure for the Montverde Academy Men’s Soccer team, where his technical ability helped the squad maintain its reputation as one of the top-ranked programs in the nation. Not content with just one arena, Furbert also excelled for the Track and Field team, where his natural explosive power and speed earned him the top honors “hands down.”
The evening also saw recognition for fellow Bermudian Miles Outerbridge, who was shortlisted for one of the night’s most anticipated categories. Outerbridge was nominated for the People’s Choice Award for Male Track and Field following a season of consistent performances on the track.
While the public vote ultimately went in another direction, the nomination itself underscores Outerbridge’s growing profile within the highly competitive Montverde athletic community.
The success of these young athletes continues the strong tradition of Bermudians excelling at Montverde, following in the footsteps of several professional and collegiate stars who have used the academy as a springboard to international success.
Inspired by the island’s pink-sand beaches, four island friends set out to create a wine designed for modern lifestyles
Long Bay Rosé officially launches in Bermuda this season, blending the elegance of Provençal winemaking with the spirit of island living.
Inspired by Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches and the sun-drenched vineyards of Aix-en-Provence, four island friends set out to create a wine that reflected the way they live—centered around boating, beaches, community, and understated luxury. The result is Long Bay Rosé, a premium Provençal rosé presented in an innovative bottle designed for modern lifestyles, without compromising quality or sophistication.
“Some of the best moments in Bermuda happen spontaneously—on boats, at the beach, or around a table at sunset,” said Co-Founder Lisa Fontanetta, who collaborated with her husband Mike and Bermuda friends Dan and Heather Linden in a project that turned their idea into reality. “We wanted to create a rosé that fits seamlessly into those fun, sociable outdoor occasions. Long Bay Rosé delivers premium Provençal quality in a format designed for the way people gather, entertain, and craft unforgettable memories.”
The debut beverage is aptly named for one of Bermuda’s most iconic South Shore beaches, Long Bay in Warwick. The tranquil half-mile hallmark of the island struck the four friends as the perfect symbol of subtropical beauty, with its turquoise horizons, crashing surf, striking coral reefs, and sweeping pink dunes.
“We all love Bermuda, and Long Bay’s sweeping vistas capture the spirit of what we’re trying to create,” added Fontanetta. “We wanted to reflect that beauty in the brand colors we chose and the graceful design of the bottle itself.”
Crafted in the renowned Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation, Long Bay Rosé is a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, offering the pale hue, vibrant aromatics, and refined structure that have made Provence the world’s benchmark for rosé. Rooted in tradition, yet designed for contemporary living, it delivers a wine experience that is both elevated and approachable.
At the heart of the brand is a lightweight, shatterproof, eco-friendly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle that reimagines where and how premium wine can be enjoyed. Its novel structure complements evolving consumer lifestyles, providing a practical, sustainable format for moments where traditional packaging falls short.
Made from BPA-free material, the bottle is 100% recyclable and significantly reduces transport weight and carbon impact, while eliminating the risk of breakage. From beaches and boats to poolsides and outdoor gatherings, Long Bay Rosé brings premium wine into settings where glass is often impractical. High-barrier technology preserves freshness and quality, while a re-sealable closure offers added convenience for consumers on the move.
From Provence to Bermuda, Long Bay Rosé represents a new way of thinking about wine—one that honors craftsmanship while embracing freedom, connection, and enjoyment. A lifestyle wine, reimagined.
Availability Long Bay Rosé is distributed by Pitt & Co and is now available across Bermuda at select retailers, restaurants, and hospitality venues, including The Tasting Room, Lindo’s, The Supermart, The English Market, Hayward’s Liquor store and Serpentine Liquors – look for the turquoise bottlecap.
Check our socials for upcoming launch events: May 30, 2-5pm at The Tasting Room June 2, 5:30pm on our Long Bay Rosé UberVida evening cruise
Visit longbaywine.com and follow us at @longbaywine
A shrinking population and the math of survival: Why we can’t afford our own bureaucracy
Statement by Craig Cannonier, OBA MP for Constituency 12, Devonshire South Central:
Every month, thousands of us open our pay stubs and feel that familiar sting. We see the deduction for health insurance and wonder how it got this high, and more importantly, where it stops. We’re told the usual stories about medical inflation and the rising cost of the hospital, but we aren’t talking enough about the silent crisis that is actually draining our bank accounts: our shrinking population.
Insurance, at its simplest level, is just a numbers game. To keep costs low for our seniors and our families, you need a massive pool of young, healthy, working people paying into the system. But we are facing a demographic trap. Our birth rates are at an all-time low, but even more concerning is the exodus of our own people. More and more Bermudians are emigrating, forced to seek opportunity and affordability in places where the math of daily life actually adds up. When our young professionals and families leave, they take their skills, their energy, and—crucially—their insurance premiums with them.
As the number of people paying into the system gets smaller, the bill for those left behind inevitably gets larger. This is why our current struggle with immigration red tape isn’t just a business issue—it’s a cost-of-living issue for every single Bermudian. When a work permit for a tax-paying professional takes months to crawl through a maze of bureaucracy, or when we make it unnecessarily difficult for new people to join our economy, we aren’t protecting anyone. We are actively starving our insurance pool of the very funds we need to keep our own premiums affordable. Every month a position sits vacant is a month where no payroll tax is collected and no health premiums are paid, leaving the remaining Bermudians to shoulder a heavier burden.
We’ve spent years debating Universal Health Coverage and immigration reform as if we have all the time in the world. We don’t. Our declining population is a mathematical emergency. We can no longer afford to move at a “Bermuda pace” when our cost of living is moving at light speed. We need to treat the arrival of new, productive residents with the same urgency we’d treat a medical crisis, because for our economy, that’s exactly what it has become.
It is time we connect the dots. If you are struggling to pay your health insurance, you should be looking closely at the delays in our government departments and the reasons why our own people feel they have no choice but to leave. One leads directly to the other. We must stop fighting over the size of the pieces and start focusing on expanding the pie itself. If we don’t act on solving these challenges, we won’t be protecting our island—we’ll just be making it too expensive for any of us to stay.
The Ministry of Health invites individuals aged 50 and above to register for the Move More Bermuda Games 2026, taking place on Friday, June 19th, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Flora Duffy Stadium. This year’s event promises an exciting evening of friendly competition, movement, and community spirit.
Participants can compete in a range of track and field events, including the 50m and 100m dash, long jump, shot put, 4x100m relay, and the 5K road race. The event is free for spectators, and the evening will also feature food vendors, live entertainment with DJ iBreeze, fun castles, health and wellness displays, and giveaways.
Registration is open to anyone aged 50 and older. Individuals may sign up online at trackie.com/event/movemorebda. The registration fee is $10, and the first 100 registrants will receive a free swag bag.
To help participants prepare, free training sessions will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 pm at the Flora Duffy Stadium beginning May 14th. The registration deadline is Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, shared: “This event is part of the Department of Health’s Move More Bermuda initiative, which encourages all of us to build more physical activity into our daily lives. I urge those aged 50 and above to take part in these Games. Any amount of movement contributes to better health, confidence, and overall well-being.”
Presented by the Government of Bermuda’s Department of Health, in partnership with the Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) and other government and private sector organisations, the Move More Bermuda Games offers a welcoming space for friendly competition, community connection, and fun.
Starmer, who has repeatedly said he would fight to keep his job, has so far been unable to stem the tide of calls for him to set a timetable for his departure after his Labour Party suffered some of its worst losses in local elections last week
International News via Reuters:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced the increasing prospect of a leadership challenge on Thursday, with his health minister reported to be ready to resign and his former deputy calling on the British leader to “reflect” on his position.
Starmer, who has repeatedly said he would fight to keep his job, has so far been unable to stem the tide of calls for him to set a timetable for his departure after his Labour Party suffered some of its worst losses in local elections last week.
While the number of calls for him to resign ebbed on Wednesday, when his government turned to King Charles to set out its agenda for a new parliamentary term, Thursday was set to become yet another showdown for Britain’s prime minister.
Wes Streeting, the country’s centrist health minister, was expected to resign later on Thursday to try to launch a leadership campaign, local media reported, although Starmer’s allies questioned whether he had the necessary number of backers required.
Starmer’s former deputy, Angela Rayner, announced she had been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, an impediment to any leadership bid from her, but she would not say whether she wanted to launch a challenge to the prime minister.
STARMER SHOULD REFLECT, RAYNER SAYS
“I’ve said to Keir this is a really significant moment for our party and the country … The pace of change hasn’t been enough for voters to see, and also mistakes have really blown us off course and made voters doubt us,” she told the Guardian newspaper, adding Starmer should “reflect on” stepping aside.
On her own leadership ambitions, Rayner, 46, said: “I’ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it’s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes.”
She said in a separate statement that Britain’s tax authorities had cleared her of tax avoidance, with no fine or penalty applied, a move she described as exonerating her “of the accusation that I deliberately sought to avoid tax”.
Starmer, 63, had hoped to end the calls for him to resign, which began at the weekend when the scale of the losses in elections to councils in England and the parliaments in Scotland and Wales hit home.
REEVES WARNS OF CHAOS
He has adopted a “business as usual” approach and has received support from the majority of his cabinet team of top ministers. Sources close to him say he is determined to run if a leadership contest is triggered.
“As he said … at a time of global uncertainty and domestic pressure, the government is focused on what matters: getting on with governing,” Starmer’s spokesperson told reporters.
Starmer’s finance minister, Rachel Reeves, warned lawmakers against “plunging the country into chaos” at a time when Britain’s anaemic economy was turning a corner. The economy grew unexpectedly in March.
She told the BBC that waiting lists for Britain’s public health service were falling because of government investment.
“If we put that at risk, we put at risk the investment in our public services and also the growth that is necessary to help people with the cost of living,” she said.
BOSS SAYS BUSINESSES BEING HIT BY TURMOIL
For now, a leadership race has yet to be triggered, but the political instability has pushed borrowing costs higher, with some investors nervous over the possible election of a more left-wing, tax-and-spend Labour prime minister.
The boss of Aviva, one of Britain’s biggest financial companies, complained on Thursday that businesses were being hammered by the political turmoil.
“There have been too many changes of government strategy, leadership, just in my six years of being CEO,” CEO Amanda Blanc told Reuters. “That is harmful to a major economy such as the UK and how we are perceived abroad”.
If Starmer were replaced, the new leader would be Britain’s seventh prime minister in around 10 years.
A poll by Survation published this week of Labour members found that a left-wing candidate would most likely win any leadership contest if the prime minister resigned.
Among the possible candidates on the left are Rayner, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Ed Miliband, the minister for energy security and net zero. Burnham does not have the necessary seat in parliament to mount a challenge and would need a lawmaker to stand down to give him the chance to run.
Another potential candidate is armed forces minister Al Carns, a relatively unknown ex-Royal Marine seen by some in Labour as a new face that could freshen up the party.
For now contenders are canvassing support.
One Labour lawmaker, who has not called for the prime minister to resign, said he was approached by an ally of Streeting this week to ask for support.
“He is a nice guy, but we don’t agree on the big issues,” said the lawmaker, who is on the left of the party.
($1 = 0.7398 pounds)
Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Andrew MacAskill and Alistair Smout, Additional reporting by Muvija M; writing by Elizabeth Piper and Kate Holton; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Paul Sandle and Alison Williams
Britain said in March it would not back the use of Ming Yang turbines in offshore wind projects around the country on security grounds, leading the company to pause plans for a 1.5-billion-pound ($2-billion) factory
International News via Reuters:
Chinese wind turbine maker Ming Yang Smart Energy is scouting European locations including Spain for a new manufacturing facility after the UK government effectively blocked its plans for a Scottish site, its European head said in an interview.
Britain said in March it would not back the use of Ming Yang turbines in offshore wind projects around the country on security grounds, leading the company to pause plans for a 1.5-billion-pound ($2-billion) factory.
“We want to build and manufacture our technology here in Europe with a European workforce,” Horatio Evers, CEO of Ming Yang Europe, told Reuters.
Ming Yang has had discussions with the Spanish government and is also looking at other possible locations, he said.
“We would invest in a factory in a country, if we have the guarantee that our turbines are eligible for the market,” he added.
The use of Chinese renewable technology in Europe is a contentious issue. The European Commission launched a review in 2024 into Chinese manufacturers over concerns that cheaper imports threaten European competitiveness. It has yet to publish the findings.
There have also been security concerns over using Chinese technology for a key part of Europe’s energy infrastructure. Wind projects contain electronics and sensors which gather data and could also be targets for cyberattacks.
Evers said the turbines would be safe.
“We have a well established and robust regulatory and cybersecurity framework, and we have designed our setup to be fully aligned with EU requirements,” he said.
“There is no risk to energy systems. Ming Yang nor any other third party cannot remotely shut down wind farms that we deliver in the European market. Turbines cannot be used to disrupt the grid,” he added.
The Commission recently recommended restricting EU funds for projects using power inverters which help to connect renewable projects to the energy grid from “high-risk suppliers,” a category that includes China.
Evers did not comment on the recommendation.
($1 = 0.7399 pounds)
Reporting By Susanna Twidale; Editing by Andrew Heavens
It would also look at how AI competitors were able to integrate with Microsoft’s business software, it said
International News via Reuters:
Britain launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s dominance in business software that could lead to targeted action if the U.S. company is found to have “strategic market status” in the sector.
The Competition and Markets Authority said the investigation – its fourth under new powers granted last year – would examine whether the bundling of Windows, Word, Excel, Teams, Copilot and other products was weakening competition.
It would also look at how AI competitors were able to integrate with Microsoft’s business software, it said.
An SMS designation would also allow the CMA to intervene in the cloud market, where it has previously found Microsoft’s use of software licensing could be reducing competition in cloud services.
CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said business software was a cornerstone of the British economy, with hundreds of thousands of customers relying on Microsoft’s systems.
“Our aim is to understand how these markets are developing, Microsoft’s position within them and to consider what, if any, targeted action may be needed to ensure UK organisations can benefit from choice, innovation and competitive prices,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
A Microsoft spokesperson said: “We are committed to working quickly and constructively with the CMA to facilitate its review of the business software market.”
The investigation will conclude by February 2027, the CMA said.
Reporting by Muvija M and Paul Sandle; editing by William James and Sarah Young
After Trump and Xi met, a White House official said the leaders had agreed that the strait should be open, and that Iran should never obtain nuclear weapons. China is close to Iran and the main buyer of its oil
International News via Reuters:
U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the Iran war with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, while new attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz brought a reminder of the costs of a prolonged stalemate, with peace talks stalled.
After Trump and Xi met, a White House official said the leaders had agreed that the strait should be open, and that Iran should never obtain nuclear weapons. China is close to Iran and the main buyer of its oil.
In an interview with CNBC in Beijing, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he believed China would “do what they can” to help open the strait, which he said was “very much in their interest”.
But diplomacy to end the war has been on hold since last week when Iran and the United States each rejected the other’s latest proposals, sticking to initial demands that each considers to be “red lines”.
Iran has largely shut the Strait of Hormuz to ships apart from its own since the United States and Israel launched their bombing campaign two-and-a-half months ago, causing the biggest ever disruption to global energy supplies. The U.S. paused the bombing last month but added a blockade of Iran’s ports.
In the latest incident on the trade route, India said one of its ships had come under attack off the coast of Oman. It did not immediately give further details but said all crew were safe.
Separately, British maritime security agency UKMTO reported on Thursday that “unauthorised personnel” had boarded a ship anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah, and were steering it towards Iran.
Security in that area is particularly sensitive, as Fujairah is the UAE’s sole oil port on the far side of the strait, allowing some exports to reach markets without passing through it. Iran included that part of the coast on an expanded map it released last week of waters it claimed were under its control.
Iran has lately been letting the occasional ship pass through the strait under special agreements. It let a Japanese tanker through on Wednesday. Its Fars news agency reported on Thursday an agreement to let some Chinese ships pass.
Iran’s Judiciary Spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said on Thursday the seizure of “U.S. tankers” violating Iranian regulations was being carried out under domestic and international law.
LITTLE PROGRESS IN TALKS
After intensively bombing Iran for six weeks, the United States and Israel paused their campaign more than a month ago to allow for what Trump said were promising peace talks. But after a single round of talks in Pakistan last month, there has been little progress and no further face-to-face meetings.
Trump had said his aims in starting the war were to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme, end its capability to attack its neighbours and make it easier for Iranians to overthrow their government.
But none of those objectives has been achieved so far, with Iran still in possession of more than 400 kg (900 pounds) of near-weapons-grade highly enriched uranium, and missiles and drones with demonstrated ability to hit neighbours.
Iran’s rulers, who had to use force to put down anti-government protests at the start of the year, have faced no organised opposition since the war began. And their new-found ability to close off the strait has given them additional leverage in negotiations.
Washington wants Tehran to hand over the uranium and forgo further enrichment. Iran is seeking the lifting of sanctions, reparations for war damage and acknowledgment of its control over the strait.
Trump’s trip to China, initially scheduled for the end of March, was postponed because of the war at a time when Trump was predicting a quick end to it. In the end, he travelled with the standoff still unresolved, allowing it to loom over the first visit by a U.S. president in nearly a decade.
The United States hopes to convince China “to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they’re doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News in an interview on board Air Force One en route to China.
“We’ve made clear to them that any support for Iran would obviously be detrimental for our relationship.”
Reporting by Reuters Newsrooms; Writing by Peter Graff, Alexandra Hudson
The trend for eating in to save money particularly benefited categories including cooking sauces, pasta, canned goods and meal solutions
International News via Reuters:
A shift in Britain to cooking at home rather than eating out has boosted sales and profit for packaged food makers Premier Foods and Princes Group, the companies said on Thursday.
The trend for eating in to save money particularly benefited categories including cooking sauces, pasta, canned goods and meal solutions.
Premier Foods CEO Alex Whitehouse said he expected consumers’ efforts to find shelter from inflation would support demand for the company’s affordable products.
Its brands include OXO bone broth, Bisto gravy and Homepride cooking sauces.
Among its sweet segment, where Premier Foods has focused on launching new products, its Mr Kipling brand had its biggest year to date, the company said without giving any detail.
Princes, which makes Princes Tuna, Napolina pasta and Branston beans, has also introduced new products as it seeks to raise prices where needed to offset rising fuel, freight, and packaging costs linked to the Middle East war.
Princes Group, which floated on the London stock market in October, said April trading was running ahead of the prior year. It did not provide figures.
Both companies, which supply packaged food to Britain’s major supermarkets, have said they aim to grow through acquisitions and Princes Group said on Thursday it hoped to complete at least one deal in the next couple of months.
Analysts at brokerage Jefferies said there was significant scope for M&A at Premier Foods, either through more bolt-on deals or something bigger.
Princes reported a 17% jump in adjusted core profit for the three months ended March 31 to 38.2 million pounds ($51.63 million).
Premier Foods’ headline trading profit climbed 6.7% to 200.4 million pounds for the year ended March 28, beating market expectations. It raised its dividend by 20%.
Shares in Premier Foods and Princes Group rose 4% and 0.9%, respectively.
($1 = 0.7399 pounds)
Reporting by Simone Lobo and Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Writing by Yadarisa Shabong; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Barbara Lewis
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