Results round-up

London-listed energy company BG Group, which accepted a $70bn takeover over from Shell in April, posted a 41% drop on Friday in core first-quarter earnings.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation fell to $2.72m from $1.59m in the same period last year, hit by depressed oil and gas prices.

Revenue and other operating income dropped 21% to $4bn, although this was offset somewhat by gains in the company’s liquefied natural gas shipping and marketing segment.

Completion of Shell’s takeover deal is expected in early 2016. “ Until then, BG Group will operate independently and our teams remain focused on delivering our plans safely and efficiently,” said chief executive Helge Lund.

British engineering firm Rolls Royce said on Friday that it was maintaining its full year guidance for 2015, but warned over a potential hit to revenues as a result of unfavourable currency rates.

The company’s 2015 guidance excluded the effects of foreign exchange translation. “Compared with 2014, average rates for Sterling have weakened against the US dollar but strengthened against the euro and the Norwegian Kroner,” it said.

Rolls Royce said that if rates remain at the average levels seen so far in 2015, these movements would be broadly offsetting for earnings. On revenue, however, the impact would be significant.

“We would expect a roughly £350m reduction from translation,” said the company.

Rolls Royce announced in April that the company would be welcome Warren East as its new chief executive in July.