Latest News
Vectura reports strong rise in full-year earnings
Vectura´s full-year results edged past forecasts with analysts noting the sharp improvement in its free-cash-flow generation even as they pointed out several potential share price drivers which were looming increasingly closer on the horizon.
US pre-open: Stocks seen little changed as investors pause for breath
US futures pointed to a broadly flat open on Wall Street, with investors expected to pause for breath following two sessions of gains, despite Brent crude breaching the $50 a barrel level for the first time since November.
Ashcroft UK referendum poll finds 65% in favour of staying in EU
Nearly two thirds of voters think the 'Remain' campaign will emerge victorious in the UK's EU June referendum, although most of them think the margin will be narrow, according to a poll conducted by Conservative peer Michael Ashcroft.
UBS downgrades Melrose following strong performance
UBS downgraded Melrose Industries to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ with an unchanged price target of 385p following the recent strong performance, saying the next deal is more reflected in the price.
RBC upgrades Electrocomponents on improvement potential
RBC Capital Markets upgraded Electrocomponents to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ and lifted the price target to 270p from 185p, saying downside is limited.
Ibstock falls after longer brick supply chain blockage
Brick maker Ibstock said the slow start to the year for its UK clay business had lasted fourth months before reaching a positive plumb-line.
Election uncertainty weighs on Spanish GDP in first quarter
Headline economic growth in Spain remained robust at the start of the year, but the details of the report revealed a sharp slowdown in investment due to the impact of the severe political uncertainty the country was facing following the inconclusive national elections held on 21 December, analysts said.
Hornby names David Mulligan interim finance director
AIM-listed toy train maker Hornby has appointed David Mulligan as interim finance director.
UK govt to make statement on steel industry pensions
Business Secretary Sajid Javid is to make a statement to parliament on the steel industry as reports said the government was looking at slashing the liabilities of the old British Steel pension fund, now part of assets that Indian conglomerate Tata is trying to offload.
Takata surges on KKR buyout reports
Shares in Japan’s Takata Corp surged on Thursday following a report that US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is looking to buy a 60% stake in the auto parts maker.
SVG Capital first-quarter NAV rises
FTSE 250 private equity investor SVG Capital said its net asset value per share rose 2% in the three months to 30 April to 666p, with NAV up 13% over the 12 months.
BBA mortgage approvals fall surprisingly sharply
Growth in the number of mortgages approved by UK lenders fell surprisingly sharply in April, according to data from the British Bankers' Association (BBA).
UK GDP up 0.4% in the first quarter
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed UK gross domestic product increased by 0. 4% in the first three months of the year, in line with the flash estimate and as expected.
Impairment charge hits PayPoint FY results as refocus continues
Full year pre-tax profits at PayPoint fell dramatically due to an impairment charge, although underlying results showed a small rise in adjusted operating profits.
Sophos full-year billings up 20%
FTSE 250 cyber security firm Sophos Group reported solid sales growth on Thursday in its first results as a public company.
Europe open: Stocks waver after two days of gains; Brent crude breaches $50 level
European shares wavered in early trade following two days of gains, as Brent crude prices breached the $50 a barrel mark for the first time since November.
London open: Miners, big oil and grocers lead push higher
Britain´s top flight index moved into the green early in the session, led by gains in shares of miners, big oil and grocers, lifted by the rising tide in oil prices and somewhat more favourable Brexit poll results.
Foxtons appoints Mark Berry as new CFO
Estate agent Foxtons has appointed Mark Berry – currently group financial controller at Hays – as its new chief financial officer.
Balfour Beatty wins £130m contract to build Kent M20 truck area
International infrastructure group Balfour Beatty said it had won a £130m contract to build a proposed truck area near the M20 motorway.
Asos founder trims stake but analysts sanguine
Asos founder Nick Robertson sold a large amount of shares on Thursday due to personal needs for additional liquidity arising from recent developments in his personal life.