Games Workshop jumps as Autumn trading beats expectations

Games Workshop Group PLC (LON:GAW) shares jumped on Friday after the maker of Warhammer figurines said that trading since its last update on September 10 has been ahead of its expectations.

In a brief update, the FTSE 250 firm said that as a result of the better than expected performance, it now estimated a pre-tax profit for the six months to November 29 will be “not less than GBP80mln” compared to GBP58.6mln in 2019.

READ: Games Workshop surges as summer trading beats expectations

The company attributed its strength to healthy growth in its online and trade channels, although its retail channel was still recovering from store closures earlier in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Its factory and warehouses are also still in operation under coronavirus secure measures.

The positive update sent the shares up 4.4% to 11,330p in late-afternoon trading.