Company News
Thursday preview: US Q1 GDP, German consumer confidence in the spotlight
All eyes on Thursday were likely to continue to be on the ongoing debt ceiling talks in the States.
M&S shares surge as FY beats forecasts, sees 'modest' dividend
UK retailer Marks & Spencer delivered a forecast-busting annual profit driven by a major improvement in its food division and said it would reinstate a “modest” dividend in November.
4imprint slumps on warning order increases will slow after strong Q1
Promotional products marketer 4imprint Group said trading was in line with expectations, but warned rises in order activity would moderate over the rest of the year.
UK's Ofcom allows Openreach to cut prices
Britain’s telecoms regulator has allowed BT to cut wholesale prices at its Openreach networking arm, despite claims from competitors that it would give the company an unfair advantage.
Activist investor Cevian ditches almost entire stake in Aviva
Activist investor Cevian Capital has reportedly sold almost all of its stake in insurer Aviva.
Facebook parent Meta launches third round of layoffs
Facebook parent Meta Platforms has launched its third round of layoffs, according to reports on Wednesday, as part of its ongoing cost-saving plan.
Director dealings: Mike Ashley settles 250k Frasers options, RS Group CEO invests
Frasers Group found itself on both sides of the ledger on Wednesday, after Mike Ashley settled a quarter-million share put option transaction.
Five banks said to have breached competition law in UK bond markets
Five global banks have been provisionally found to have broken UK competition law, it was announced on Wednesday, by allegedly sharing competitively sensitive bond market information.
Lok'nStore upbeat on progress with property pipeline
Self-storage operator Lok'nStore Group announced a series of transactions in a pipeline update on Wednesday, including the completion of a new 20-year lease for its existing store in Eastbourne.
IQE launches new microLED wafer products
Semiconductor wafer specialist IQE announced the introduction of a new range of 200mm RGB epitaxial wafer products on Wednesday, specifically designed for microLED display qualification.
Coral Products set to beat full-year revenue, earnings expectations
Plastics manufacturer Coral Products announced a positive end to the financial year in an update on Wednesday, with revenue set to top £35m - a significant increase from the prior year’s £14. 4m.
Vistry's Countryside chosen for big Bristol development
Vistry Group announced on Wednesday that its Countryside Partnerships division had been chosen as the preferred partner for a joint venture with Goram Homes and Bristol City Council's housing company.
Mortgage Advice Bureau describes stabilising market
Mortgage Advice Bureau said in an update on Wednesday that in the second quarter of the year, its adviser numbers stabilised at 2,121 as at 19 May.
Currys Nordic subsidiaries being probed by European watchdog
Electricals retailer Currys said on Wednesday that European competition regulators are investigating its Nordic subsidiaries.
EnQuest maintains guidance after strong start to year
Independent oil and gas producer EnQuest left its full-year guidance unchanged in an operations update on Tuesday.
HICL reports 'resilient' set of results, confirms dividend guidance
HICL Infrastructure reported full-year income of £254. 2m in its annual results on Tuesday, down from £405. 8m in 2022.
LondonMetric reports robust year, agrees to acquire CTPT
LondonMetric Property reported a robust operational performance in its annual results on Tuesday, leading to growth in EPRA earnings and dividends.
Inchcape makes interim CFO Adrian Lewis permanent
Car dealership Inchcape said on Wednesday that it has appointed interim chief financial officer Adrian Lewis to the role on a permanent basis, with immediate effect.
Chemring appoints James Mortensen as CFO
Chemring said on Wednesday that it has appointed James Mortensen as its new chief financial officer.
SSE reports strong set of adjusted full-year figures
SSE reported a strong set of adjusted figures in its preliminary results on Wednesday, with adjusted operating profit soaring 65% to £2. 53bn.