Company News
Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls, China foreign trade data
Investors' focus at the end of the week will be squarely on the US non-farm payrolls report for the month of May.
Director dealings: Hilton Food chairman offloads shares
Hilton Food Group revealed on Thursday that chairman Robert Watson had disposed of 14,747 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed food packaging business.
Big Lots shares dive as Q1 results miss forecasts
The share price of Big Lots plunged by a fifth on Thursday after the American discount chain reported a big drop in sales and a wider-than-expected loss in its first quarter which it blamed on a "challenging consumer environment".
S4 Capital reiterates full-year targets
Digital advertising and marketing agency S4 Capital reiterated its full-year targets on Thursday despite "volatile" global macroeconomic conditions.
Mitie revenues hit record £4.5bn on contract wins
Annual profits at outsourcing giant Mitie surged as revenues hit a record £4. 5bn – in line with company expectations laid out in April's trading update.
Antofagasta shares rise on Centinela water-supply deal
Shares in copper miner Antofagasta were rising on Thursday after the company announced the completion of a water-supply agreement at its Centinela project in Chile.
Camellia FY revenues seen higher, pre-tax losses expected to widen
Tea producer Camellia said on Thursday that annual revenues were expected to grow year-on-year despite reduced tea production expectations in India and further drops in tea prices in both Kenya and Malawi.
UK economy to grow by more than expected - BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce upgraded its outlook for the UK economy on Thursday, but warned long-term growth was likely to be subdued.
Mission rejects 'opportunistic' Brave Bison approach
The Mission Group has rejected a revised "opportunistic" takeover approach from Brave Bison, it confirmed on Thursday, arguing that it undervalues the business.
US regulators take aim at Big Tech's role in AI - report
US antitrust regulators are to investigate Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia over their roles in the artificial intelligence industry, it was reported on Thursday.
UK construction sector grows at fastest pace in two years
The UK construction sector grew in May at its fastest pace in two years, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Commodity trader Trafigura sees profits drop as market normalises
Singaporean commodity trading giant Trafigura saw profits slide in the first half of its financial year, with underlying earnings nearly halving as markets normalised following a period of record earnings over recent years.
N Brown returns to FY statutory profit
Online retailer N Brown Group said on Thursday that it had returned to profit in the year ended 2 March thanks to lower adjustments and a focus on driving profitable sales.
Tonic maker Fever-Tree on track as market share climbs
London-based tonic and soda maker Fever-Tree Drinks said on Thursday that sales have risen over the year to date, as it continues to drive market share gains across all regions.
Wood Group to 'engage' with Sidara on takeover proposal
Wood Group said late on Wednesday that it had decided to "engage" with Sidara after the Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm made an improved and final takeover proposal last week at 230p a share.
Bridgepoint founder and chair to step down
Asset manager Bridgepoint Group has announced that founder and chair William Jackson is to step down from the board this summer.