Hornby joins ranks of firms to feel the profits chill
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Even model trains and Scalextric racing cars got caught up in the snow and ice before Christmas, forcing Hornby to issue a profits warning today.
It said shops sold less than expected as consumers stayed home in the bad weather.
Hornby shares dropped 19¼p to 119¼p as analysts scaled back their profit forecasts.
Broker Numis cut its forecast for the year ending next month from £6.4 million to £4.8 million, but left its prediction for next year unchanged at £7.8 million on the grounds that the weather impact was a "one-off".
That was backed up by Hornby chairman Neil Johnson who said: "The negative impact on the group caused by the unusually adverse weather in December is almost certainly a one-off event.
"Nonetheless, due to its diverse product and geographic spread Hornby continues to occupy a position of strength amongst its peers."