Company News
Wet weather keeps shoppers home in usually-busy December
British shoppers headed out more reluctantly during the usually busy holiday period, according to fresh data released on Friday morning, with retail footfall seeing a notable decline.
Next lifts profit guidance after £38m Christmas sales boost
UK fashion retailer Next lifted annual guidance for the fifth time in seven months after full-price sales came in a massive £38m more than expected during November and December, but warned that attacks on shipping in the Red Sea could cause supply delays.
Director dealings: Bigblu Broadband director raises stake
Bigblu Broadband revealed on Thursday that certain investment vehicles linked to non-executive director Christopher Mills had purchased 25,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed broadband provider.
TUI to put London delisting to shareholder vote at AGM
Travel giant TUI announced its intention to begin the process of delisting from the London Stock Exchange on Thursday.
Enlarged SigmaRoc trading on AIM after completed acquisition
SigmaRoc announced the admission of its enlarged share capital on Thursday, encompassing 693,801,899 existing ordinary shares, 418,464,565 placing shares, and 2,588,066 REX intermediaries offer shares, to trading on AIM.
US services PMI revised slightly higher in December
S&P Global's services PMI was revised slightly higher to 51. 4 in December, up from a preliminary reading of 51. 3, continuing to point to the strongest growth in the services sector in five months.
Friday preview: Non-farm payrolls and eurozone inflation on tap
Non-farm payrolls will be at the top of investors' minds on Friday, after this week's minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting noted that the labour market was moving into a better balance.
Royal London tabling bid to buy bulk annuities from Lloyds — report
Life insurance, pensions and investments group Royal London is in discussions to purchase Scottish Widows' bulk annuities arm, according to Sky News.
Aptitude Software secures £1.2m contract with US client
Financial software specialist Aptitude Software announced a significant contract win on Thursday.
Life Science REIT inks letting at Oxford Technology Park
Life Science REIT announced a significant letting of 5,551 square feet of space at the Innovation Quarter (IQ) on Thursday, located within Oxford Technology Park (OTP).
APA to buy Callon Petroleum in $4.5bn deal
US energy company APA Corp has agreed to buy smaller rival Callon Petroleum in a $4. 5bn all-share deal which includes Callon’s debt.
Arrow Exploration gearing up for busy year
Colombian hydrocarbon specialist Arrow Exploration said in an update on Thursday that it ended 2023 with a production rate exceeding 3,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day net.
Destiny Pharma reports progress on clinical assets
Clinical-stage biotechnology company Destiny Pharma said in a year-end update on Thursday that its primary focus remained on realising the full potential of its XF-73 Nasal asset.
Shearwater subsidiary wins two significant contracts
Cybersecurity, advisory, and managed security services provider Shearwater Group announced two significant contracts won by its subsidiary Brookcourt Solutions on Thursday.
Artisanal Spirits buys US-based Single Cask Nation
Artisanal Spirits Company announced the acquisition of the assets and trade of US-based venture Single Cask Nation on Thursday, effective 3 January.
Likewise Group delivers record FY sales performance
Flooring distributor Likewise Group said on Thursday that recent investments to increase its logistics capacity had resulted in a record sales performance in 2023.
Eurozone business activity still subdued, points to recession - PMI
Business activity in the eurozone continued to contract at the end of last year, with survey data published on Thursday indicating the single currency bloc went into recession.
UK service sector expands at fastest pace in six months
Activity in the UK service sector rose at the fastest pace in six months in December, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Tritax EuroBox secures new lease near Stockholm
Tritax EuroBox announced a new lease agreement for a five-year term on Thursday at its two-unit development in Rosersberg, near Stockholm.
Angle receives 'breakthrough results' from DNA molecular analysis
Liquid biopsy company Angle received "breakthrough results" from DNA molecular analysis of cancer patient blood samples on Thursday, sending its shares skywards as a result.