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B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) continues to split City opinion, with its first-quarter trading update sending Deutsche Bank to upgrade the discount retailer on signs that profit margins are stabilising, while Panmure Liberum abandoned its long-standing bullish stance. The contrasting reactions underline the uncertainty surrounding new chief executive Tjeerd Jegen's efforts to revive growth after several…

B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) shares fell after the discount retailer reported a decline in underlying UK sales, although analysts said the update was largely in line with expectations and did little to alter the investment case. Shares in the FTSE 250-listed group fell 5.8% to 192.1p by early afternoon on Wednesday.

B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) reported first-quarter sales growth of 2% as strong trading in France and steady growth at Heron Foods helped lift group revenue despite weaker trading in its core UK business. The discount retailer said revenue rose to £1.43 billion in the 13 weeks to 27 June from a year earlier.

Discount retailer B&M reported a 2% rise ​in its first-quarter group revenue ‌on Wednesday, as strong growth in France and a recovery at Heron Foods ​unit offset a decline ​in like-for-like sales at its core ⁠UK business.

British discount retailer B&M named Asda [RIC:RIC:WMTAS.UL] executive Atheeq Akbar as its ​next chief financial officer on ‌Wednesday, with the company pushing ahead with efforts to boost its UK business.