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Burford Capital reports 'best year ever' for portfolio performance
Litigation finance company Burford Capital reported the best year in its history for portfolio performance on Wednesday, with group-wide capital provision-direct asset realisations up 72% to $608m (£443. 22m).
M&B chairman Bob Ivell suffers revolt at AGM
Almost one-quarter of Mitchells & Butlers shareholders voted against the pub group's chairman in a sign of increased frustration about governance and the influence of a group of big investors.
Surface Transforms agrees £1m Merseyside growth loan
Carbon fibre-reinforced ceramic brake technology company Surface Transforms has agreed to a £1m Flexible Growth Fund loan from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), it announced on Wednesday.
More than 11,000 shops lost in 2020, research shows
More than 11,000 shops permanently shut down in the UK last year, according to research published on Wednesday, hit by changing consumer habits and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hargreaves Services secures HS2 earthworks contract
Engineering services company Hargreaves Services said on Wednesday that its specialist earthworks business, Blackwell, had been appointed by the EKFB joint venture to carry out earthworks on part of the HS2 rail project.
Deutsche Bank upgrades NatWest ahead of Ireland exit
Deutsche Bank upgraded NatWest to ‘hold’ from ‘sell’ on Wednesday as it took a look at Irish banks after NatWest’s announced exit from the country.
Travis Perkins seeks main market listing for Wickes DIY spinoff
Builders' merchant Travis Perkins said it was planning to list its Wickes DIY unit on the main market on the London Stock Exchange as it resumed demerger proceedings.
Bellway reinstates dividend, reports rise in forward order book
House builder Bellway reinstated its dividend as it reported a slight fall in interim profits and a strong forward order book.
Bally's agrees in principle to buy Gamesys for £2bn
Bally's of the US has agreed in principle to buy Gamesys in a deal that would value the online gaming operator at £2bn.
CPPGroup to resume dividend payments after 10 years
Insurance and personal protection provider CPPGroup reported a 2% improvement in group revenue in its final results on Wednesday, to £141. 1m, as it announced its first dividend in a decade.
Europe midday: Lockdowns, vaccine row overshadow eurozone PMIs
New lockdowns in Europe and a dispute over the Covid-19 supplies between the European Union and AstraZeneca offset positive euro zone business survey readings on Wednesday.
Europe open: Lockdowns, vaccine export spat hit shares
New lockdowns in Europe and a dispute over the Covid-19 supplies between the European Union and AstraZeneca hit stocks at the opening on Wednesday.
Ryanair unveils new routes despite govt warnings on new Covid wave
Budget airline Ryanair on Wednesday said it was expanding its summer flight schedule, citing the successful rollout of Britain’s vaccination programme, despite government warnings about a third wave of the coronavirus from Europe.
Arden Partners trading strongly in new financial year
Arden Partners updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, reporting that since its 2020 results on 16 February, progress had remained “strong”, with all areas of the business performing well.
John Lewis to close eight more stores with 1,500 jobs at risk
Retailer John Lewis has confirmed the closure of eight stores, putting almost 1,500 jobs at risk as it looks to emerge from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bahamas Petroleum makes progress in Bahamas and Uruguay
Caribbean and Atlantic-focussed oil and gas company Bahamas Petroleum (BPC) updated the market on its high-impact exploration assets in the Bahamas and Uruguay on Wednesday, reporting that since it completed drilling on Perseverance #1, it had held discussions with industry counterparties over a potential farm-out of its licences in the Bahamas.
Big banks invest $3.8bn in financing fossil fuel companies since 2015
Sixty of the world’s biggest banks provided $3. 8bn of financing for fossil fuel projects from 2016 to 2020, revealed a report by a coalition of NGOs.
Skoda to invest €2.5bn in new tech over next five years
Skoda announced on Wednesday it would invest around €2. 5bn over the next five years on future technologies, with more than half going to electric vehicle investment.
US pre-open: Futures in the green following yesterday's sell-off
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Wednesday following a sharp sell-off in the previous session.
London midday: Stocks a touch weaker amid third wave worries
London stocks were still a touch weaker by midday on Wednesday amid ongoing worries about a third wave of coronavirus, as investors digested the latest UK inflation and business activity data.