Company News
Friday preview: UK retail sales, US consumer confidence in focus
Investors' focus at the end of the week will be on UK retail sales figures for April.
AJ Bell founder Andy Bell to sell 7.5m shares in placing
AJ Bell said late on Thursday that founder Any Bell plans to sell around 7. 5m ordinary shares in the investment platform in a placing.
James Gorman to leave Morgan Stanley at end of year
Morgan Stanley executive chairman James Gorman announced on Thursday that he would step down from his role at the end of the year, in remarks at the bank's annual shareholder meeting.
FTSE 100 movers: St James's Place rallies; NatWest in the red
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 4% in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Activist fund Palliser urges Rio Tinto to ditch London listing
Activist hedge fund Palliser Capital urged Rio Tinto to shift its primary stock market listing from London to Sydney, it emerged on Thursday, to potentially increase its share price by nearly 40%.
Director dealings: SSP CEO raises stake
SSP revealed on Thursday that chief executive Patrick Coveney had acquired 40,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed food and beverage outlet operator.
Avacta reports further progress in chemotherapy trial
Avacta Group announced the successful completion of the first cohort and the start of dosing for three patients in the second cohort of the second arm in its phase one trial of AVA6000, a peptide drug conjugate form of doxorubicin chemotherapy, on Thursday.
Cohort ends year slightly ahead of expectations
Technology company Cohort said in a trading update on Thursday that its full-year performance was slightly ahead of expectations, with growth in both revenue and profits year-on-year.
Moto owner CVC planning sale - report
The owners of Moto, one of Britain's biggest operators of motorway service stations, are reportedly preparing to put the company up for sale for more than £2bn.
Royal Mail owner IDS delays results amid takeover bid
Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services said on Thursday that it has had to delay the publication of its full-year results - which were originally due on Thursday morning - after auditor KPMG requested additional time to complete procedures.
NatWest share sale plan on hold after election called
NatWest was trading lower on Thursday following reports that plans for a sale of shares in the bank to the general public have been put on hold after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election for 4 July.
HSBC fined £6.3m over treatment of customers in financial difficulty
HSBC has been fined nearly £6. 3m by the Financial Conduct Authority over its treatment of customers in financial difficulty.
Bloomsbury announces record revenue, chairman succession plans
Bloomsbury Publishing reported exceptional financial results in its preliminary results on Thursday, reaching record high revenue and profit levels, as it also announced its chairman succession plans.
Rolls-Royce makes 'strong start' to FY24
Aerospace and defence business Rolls-Royce said on Thursday that it had made "a strong start to the year", building on its "record" performance in 2023 despite continued industry-wide supply chain challenges.
Hill & Smith flags positive start to year
Infrastructure products specialist Hill & Smith reported a positive start to the year in an update on Thursday, slightly exceeding expectations.
Essentra FY adjusted operating profits seen in line with expectations
Essential components provider Essentra said on Thursday that it was on track to deliver full-year adjusted operating profits in line with internal expectations.
Diamond sales lose shine at De Beers
Rough diamond sales at De Beers fell in recent weeks, Anglo American said on Thursday, on the back of subdued demand.
Petershill Partners reiterates FY guidance, Q1 AuM grows
Investment group Petershill Partners reiterated its full-year guidance on Thursday as it revealed assets under management had increased in the three months ended 31 March.
Energean reports strong first quarter
Energean reported a strong first-quarter in an update on Thursday, with significant growth in both operational and financial metrics.
Shaftesbury Capital reports strong leasing activity since merger
Shaftesbury Capital reported strong leasing activity and a robust financial profile in an update on Thursday.