Company News
AppScatter drums up funds ahead of IPO next week
AppScatter Group, a mobile app distribution platform, has attracted up £9m of new funds ahead of a flotation on the London Stock Exchange's AIM next week.
Ladbrokes Coral doubles divi as merger benefits grow, current trading robust
Ladbrokes Coral confirmed first-half operating profits at the top end of previous guidance, doubled its interim dividend and said synergies from last year's merger were expected to be more than double the original estimate.
Ian McDonough appointed Forbidden Tech CEO
Forbidden Technologies announced on Thursday that Ian McDonough would join the company as chief executive officer on 1 September, and would join the company's board immediately.
Restaurant Group sales shrink but confidence grows in turnaround
Restaurant Group sales deteriorated as the first half of the year wore on, but the Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito owner served up a flat dividend as it reported early signs of volume improvement and broke back into the black.
Brexit expected to have 'little direct impact' on Chesnara after Dutch acquisition
Life insurance and pension management firm, Chesnara said its recent acquisition of Legal and General Nederland for £137. 5m earlier this year was the cause of its soaring earnings in the first half.
Standard Life bests All-Share average return
Guernsey based firm, Standard Life Investments said that stronger than anticipated valuation increases and successful asset management brought about a total net asset value return of 6. 6% in the first half of the year.
Lloyd's files countersuit against Kanye West
Lloyd's of London filed a countersuit to Kanye West's claim that the bank and its insurance syndicates owed him $10m after the producer-turned-MC-turned-designer cancelled his Saint Pablo tour in November 2016 with more than 20 shows left to perform.
McColl's reports 31% jump in third-quarter sales
Convenience store chain McColl's reported a 31% rise in total revenue for 13-week period to 27 August and a 15. 8% jump year-to-date following the successful integration of 298 acquired convenience stores.
Morses Club hails encouraging first half
Doorstep lender Morses Club reported a rise in its customer numbers and loan book in the 26-week period to 26 August, in an update that came hot on the heels of a profit warning from rival Provident Financial last week.
Melrose Industries swings to profit but warns on Brush unit
Engineering group Melrose Industries said first-half pre-tax profit rose to £47. 8m from a £9. 2m loss a year earlier as it warned that conditions at its Brush unit had worsened.
Hays FY profit jumps on solid Europe performance, special dividend announced
FTSE 250 recruiter Hays posted a rise in full-year profit on Thursday as it announced its first special dividend following a solid performance in Europe and a stabilisation in the UK.
Ultra Electronics partners with Jupitor of Japan
Ultra Electronics announced on Thursday that it has expanded its relationship with Jupitor Corporation of Japan to support the introduction of its latest technologies on major Japanese aerospace programmes.
Redefine sells BMW showroom for £26m
Redefine International said had completed on the sale of the Sytner BMW showroom in High Wycombe for £26. 1m to an unnamed UK pension fund.
BAT restructures to focus on 'next generation' tobacco products
British American Tobacco updated the market on its management structure on Thursday following the completion of the acquisition of Reynolds American.
Jimmy Choo H1 profit rises 174%
Luxury retailer Jimmy Choo, which agreed to be bought by Michael Kors back in July, reported a big jump in first-half profit on Thursday.
Organic growth helps Grafton build solid interim profits
Interim pre-tax profits at international building materials distributor Grafton rose 18% to £74. 1m driven by organic growth across its core businesses.