Company News
Next shares gain on guidance hold, 5% profit rise
Shares in UK fashion retailer Next jumped on Thursday as it held guidance for 2024 after posting a better-than-expected 5% rise in annual profits and flagged lower prices for customers this year.
KKR Dark Aggregator to sell 2.5% stake in Darktrace in placing
Jefferies said on Thursday that KKR Dark Aggregator plans to sell a stake of around 2. 5% in cybersecurity firm Darktrace in a placing to institutional investors.
BAE Systems selected by Australian govt to build nuclear powered submarines
BAE Systems said on Thursday that it and ASC Pty Ltd have been selected by the Australian government to build the country’s new fleet of nuclear powered submarines.
US government sues Apple for anti-competitive behaviour
Shares in iPhone maker Apple were firmly lower on Thursday after the Department of Justice sued the tech giant for allegedly violating antitrust laws and preventing smartphone customers from switching to its rivals.
Friday preview: UK retail sales, Phoenix Group in the spotlight
Financial markets' focus at the end of the week would be on the UK consumer.
Capital Metals reports progress at Eastern Minerals Project
Capital Metals, a mineral sands company on the verge of mine development at the high-grade Eastern Minerals Project in Sri Lanka, reported substantial progress in securing necessary permits and approvals for its operations on Thursday.
4basebio client gets approval to start trial in Australia
Synthetic DNA product developer 4basebio announced on Thursday that its client, Helix Nanotechnologies, has achieved a significant milestone with the receipt of HREC approval in Australia.
Cambridge Cognition forms scientific advisory board
Digital brain health solutions developer Cambridge Cognition announced the creation of a scientific advisory board on Thursday.
Mercia Asset Management secures two new BBB mandates
Mercia Asset Management announced an expanded role in bolstering regional business growth on Thursday, with the acquisition of two new fund mandates from the British Business Bank (BBB).
XLMedia to sell Europe, Canada assets for up to $42.5m
AIM-listed XLMedia said on Thursday that it has agreed to sell its Europe and Canada assets for up to $42. 5m to performance marketing and sports betting media firm Gambling. com (GAMB).
Feedback secures funding for Oldham pilot
Feedback has secured £50,000 in funding to initiate a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) pathway pilot with the Oldham CDC, it announced on Thursday, managed by the Northern Care Alliance.
Direct Line announces new cost-savings plan, declares 4p dividend
Direct Line posted a widening of its full-year losses on Thursday as it announced a new £100m cost-savings plan and declared a 4p a share dividend.
Victoria promotes Roberto Moreno to group strategy chief
Flooring specialist Victoria announced the appointment of Roberto Moreno as its new group chief strategy officer and principal duty manager on Thursday.
Avacta reaches milestone in AVA6000 dose escalation
Avacta Group announced a significant milestone in its phase 1a dose escalation study of AVA6000, its lead ‘preCISION’ drug, on Thursday.
PetroTal ends year in line with guidance
PetroTal said in an update on Thursday that in the fourth quarter, it saw average sales and production of 15,033 and 14,865 barrels of oil per day, respectively.
Citi, Barclays set to trim investment banking headcounts
Banking giants Barclays and Citigroup were reportedly gearing up to trim their investment banking workforce, it emerged on Thursday, amid a slowdown in dealmaking activity within the sector.
Gulf Keystone swings to loss in 2023
Kurdistan-focused oil group Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) swung to a small loss in 2023 as the suspension of exports and continued delays to payments from the regional government had a material impact on its financial performance.
Judges Scientific revenue rises, outlook more uncertain
Scientific instrument sector investor Judges Scientific reported a 20% uptick in 2023 revenue in its final results on Thursday, reaching £136. 1m, although its shares were sliding on a more uncertain outlook for 2024.
3i Group reports strong growth at Action
3i Group said in its third-quarter update on Thursday that its largest portfolio company, the Benelux discount retailer Action, recorded notable growth in its 2023 financial year, with net sales reaching €11. 32bn and operating EBITDA hitting €1. 62bn, marking a 28% and 34% increase, respectively, compared to 2022.
GKN spin-off Dowlais points to flat revenues in 2024
Shares in automotive engineering group Dowlais dropped on Thursday despite the announcement of a £50m share buyback, as the company pointed to stable revenues in 2024.