The effect on its Irish operations of DIY chain B&Q’s imminent closure of 60 stores across the UK and Ireland remains unclear.

Shares in Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer, fell 6% yesterday as pressure on profit margins and a smaller-than-expected sales boost from warmer weather pushed first- quarter earnings below forecasts.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today posted a 4% rise in annual profits amid signs that it is benefiting from the upturn in the UK housing market.

Home improvement chain B&Q posted a 6.4% drop in sales today after poor weather and more consumer caution led to a “tough” winter quarter.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said the wettest summer in 100 years cost the group £30m (€37.5m) in profit as demand for gardening and outdoor maintenance plunged.

More positive signs from the US failed to lift London’s leading shares index today as fears over the eurozone and a credit agency warning to banks rattled investors.

B&Q owner Kingfisher says that it planned to step up its expansion after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said it planned to step up its expansion today after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said quarterly sales at the UK’s biggest DIY chain remained under pressure after shoppers put off “big-ticket” purchases.

Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher got an unscheduled boost today after it emerged the company racked up better-than-forecast half-year profits.

B&Q owner Kingfisher is expected to slash its dividend on the back of a major business review, it was reported today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher revealed weaker UK sales figures today as it braced itself for a further softening in consumer demand in the coming months.

Home improvement retailer B&Q posted its first quarter of underlying sales growth for two years today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher raised hopes of a long-awaited sales revival today, despite seeing trading conditions remain tough in the UK.

EUROPE’S top home-improvement retailer, Kingfisher Plc, posted a near-halving of first-quarter profit yesterday, and said it was still struggling with weak consumer demand in its core home market.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said soaring utility costs, household debt and fears over the housing market had all contributed to a sharp decline in profits.

B&Q owner Kingfisher revealed a 16% slump in profits at the home improvement retail outlets today as it warned that trading conditions had remained “challenging” in recent weeks.

Retail group Kingfisher today swept aside fears of a slowdown in the DIY market by reporting a 6% hike in sales at its B&Q chain.

British retail group Kingfisher today overcame the impact of poor weather on sales of seasonal ranges to post a 16.5% rise in profits at its core B&Q chain.