Sports Direct profits plunge

Mike Ashley said the group had taken action to limit the impact of the pound's heavy falls against the US dollar

The scandal-hit retailer reported a 5'‹9 per cent'‹ tumble in underlying pre-tax profits to Â£113.7'‹m for the year to April 30.Newcastle United owner Mr Ashley said the group had taken action to limit the impact of the pound's heavy falls against the US dollar, but warned "we remain exposed" to longer-term sterling woes.The group, which sources many of its branded goods in US dollars from Asia, said it was "optimistic" for the year ahead, targeting underlying earnings growth of between 5 and 15 '‹per cent '‹despite ongoing pressure from the pound.It said the rollout of a new store format was bearing fruit, with better-than-expected early results.Mr Ashley '‹said'‹: "However, we will continue to be conservative in managing for the medium to long term, which may result in short-term fluctuations in underlying EBITDA (earnings), particularly given the continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit."Like-for-like retail sales edged 0.3'‹ per cent'‹ higher over the year, while total revenues rose 11.7'‹ per cent'‹ as its international sales benefited from weaker pound.Sports Direct warned after last June's EU referendum that profits would be hit because the company failed to hedge against the fall in sterling in the immediate aftermath of the vote, meaning the weak pound impacted its product-buying power.Its financial troubles have come amid a storm of controversy surrounding Sports Direct and Mr Ashley.The 52-year-old tycoon has been embroiled in a court case this summer with an investment banker over a Â£15'‹m deal allegedly struck in a London pub, with Mr Ashley still awaiting the verdict.It comes as Sports Direct also continues to recover from the damage to its reputation after allegations last year over working practices at its Shirebrook headquarters in Derbyshire, with Mr Ashley hauled before MPs for a grilling.