Latest News
Franchise Brands ups FY dividend payout, underlying earnings seen at top end of guidance
Multi-brand franchise business Franchise Brands said on Monday that it will look to up its full-year dividend payout as it now expects to report adjusted underlying earnings at the top end of current market expectations.
Europe open: Shares make strong start ahead of ECB rate call
European markets made a strong start to the week as investors look ahead to a European Central Bank interest rate decision on Thursday, widely expected to be a 25 basis point cut.
The Property Franchise Group acquires GPEA and associated companies
Lettings and estate agency The Property Franchise Group has acquired GPEA and its associated companies, trading as The Guild of Property Professionals and Fine & Country, for a total consideration of approximately £20. 0m.
GSK shares slump as US judge says experts can testify in Zantac cases
GSK shares were down almost 10% on Monday after a US court ruled that jury trials could hear expert witnesses in 70,000 cases brought by cancer sufferers claiming its Zantac heartburn drug caused their condition.
Strip Tinning names Mark Perrins as group CEO
Connection systems supplier Strip Tinning has appointed Mark Perrins as group chief executive officer, joining the board of directors with immediate effect.
Citi upgrades National Grid, cites attractive risk/reward
Citi upgraded National Grid on Monday to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target to 985p from 920p as it cited an attractive risk/reward.
Hvivo scores £2.5m contract for Omicron characterisation study
Contract research organisation Hvivo has secured a £2. 5m contract with a mid-sized pharmaceutical company to initiate an Omicron characterisation study after the manufacture of its Omicron BA. 5 challenge agent was successfully completed in 2023.
MP Evans purchases minority stakes in Indonesian subsidiaries
Palm oil producer MP Evans has purchased a 5% minority holding in the majority of its Indonesian subsidiary trading companies.
Eurozone manufacturing at 'turning point' as downturn eases in May
The contraction in manufacturing activity in the eurozone eased slightly less than expected in May, according to revised estimates on Monday by S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB), which signalled a "turning point" for the sector.
UK manufacturing sector returns to growth in May
The UK manufacturing sector returned to growth in May, with output growing at the fastest pace in more than two years, according to a survey released on Monday.
JPMorgan upgrades St James’s Place, Quilter to ‘overweight’
JPMorgan Cazenove upgraded St James’s Place and Quilter to ‘overweight’ from ‘neutral’ on Monday as it took a look at UK wealth managers.
Blackstone increases Hipgnosis offer
US private equity firm Blackstone has upped its bid for embattled music rights publisher Hipgnosis as it looks to change its takeover offer to a so-called 'scheme of arrangement'.
Shein eyeing potential London listing
Fast fashion retailer Shein will file paperwork for a potential floatation on the London Stock Exchange as soon as this week, according to Sky News, with an initial public offering potentially valuing the firm at roughly £51. 7bn.
Chill Brands shares suspended as inside-information probe continues
UK vape maker Chill Brands announced on Monday that its shares have been suspended from trade as it continues to investigate claims around the use of inside information by its suspended CEO.
WH Ireland to sell capital markets business to Zeus for up to £5m
WH Ireland said on Monday that it has agreed to sell its capital markets business to investment bank Zeus Capital for up to £5m.
Hunting's order book at record high after another big win in Kuwait
Engineering group Hunting has won a $86m piping order from state-backed Kuwait Oil Company for next next, driving its sales order book to a record high, and causing shares to surge on Monday.
Baltic Classifieds slumps as Antler sells 40m shares in placing
Baltic Classifieds slumped on Monday after Antler, which is controlled by funds advised by Apax, sold 40m shares in a placing.
London open: Stocks gain ahead of UK manufacturing data
London stocks rose in early trade on Monday, taking their cue from a positive session in Asia, as investors eyed the latest UK manufacturing reading.
Sirius Real Estate ups dividend as profits jump 32%
Profits at business and industrial parks developer Sirius Real Estate surged by nearly a third in the year ended 31 March, helping the company to increase dividends for the tenth straight year.
Asia report: Shares rally on rate cut hopes, China Caixin PMI
Asian share markets rallied on Monday, as investors awaited an expected rate cut from the European Central Bank, while a positive factory activity survey in China also boosted sentiment.