Dixons forecasts higher profits of up to £450m

British consumer electricals and mobile phone retailer Dixons Carphone edged up its guidance for annual profit on the back of strong Christmas trading, it said on Tuesday.

The firm said it expected a 2015-2016 pretax profit of £440-£450 million versus analysts’ previous average forecast of £440 million and the £381 million made in 2014-2015.

Dixons Carphone, which trades as Currys, PC World and Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Ireland, Elkjop and El Giganten in Nordic countries and Kotsovolos in Greece, said sales at stores open over a year rose 5 per cent in the 10 weeks to January 9th. Like-for-like sales rose 5 per cent, 3 per cent and 9 per cent in the UK & Ireland, Nordics and southern Europe divisions.

Shares in the firm, up 10 per cent over the last year, closed Monday at 467.1 pence.