Company News
Young’s says NI, minimum wage changes to add £11m in annual costs
Pub chain Young’s said on Thursday that changes to national insurance contributions and minimum wage announced in last month’s Budget would add around £11m in annual costs from next April.
Qinetiq ups buyback by £50m after solid first half
Shares in Qinetiq dipped on Thursday despite the aircraft engineering company delivering first-half results in line with expectations and announcing a new £50m buyback.
Assura hails 'transformative' first half as earnings spark
Real estate investment trust Assura posted improved rental income and earnings on Thursday, following a "transformative" first half.
Petershill partially sells Accel-KKR stake for $282m
Petershill Partners announced the partial sale of its stake in Accel-KKR (AKKR) on Thursday, generating a nominal consideration of $282m.
Great Portland Estates flags fall in half-year earnings
Great Portland Estates reported a fall in earnings per share in an update on Thursday, despite progress in strategic acquisitions and resilient leasing performance.
Just Group completes largest defined benefit de-risking transaction to date
Retirement products business Just Group said on Thursday that it has completed its largest defined benefit de-risking transaction to date.
FirstGroup shares jump as 2025 outlook lifted
Shares in FirstGroup jumped on Thursday as the bus and rail operator said it was buying back an extra £50m in shares and lifted its full-year forecast after a strong performance in the first half of the year.
3i Group delivers 'good financial performance' during H1
Private equity and venture capital firm 3i Group said on Thursday that it had delivered a "good financial performance" for the six months ended 30 September.
United Utilities ups dividend as first-half revenues top £1bn
FTSE 100-listed water company United Utilities saw revenues top the £1bn mark in its first half after a "robust" performance, though headline profits dropped due to a higher net finance expense.
Boohoo faces boardroom battle as losses balloon, raises £39m
Boohoo Group confirmed it had raised £39m on Thursday, after half-year losses at the fast fashion retailer swelled.
GSK's Blenrep shows strong survival benefit in myeloma study
GSK reported positive results from its phase three ‘DREAMM-7’ trial on Thursday, highlighting a significant overall survival benefit for ‘Blenrep’, or belantamab mafodotin, in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Premier Foods sales rise as easing inflation allows customers a 'treat'
Premier Foods reported higher first-half revenues and profits as easing inflation allowed consumers to “treat themselves more” to its range of products.
WH Smith hails strong UK travel performance as FY profits rise
WH Smith reported a jump in full-year profit and revenue on Thursday as it hailed a particularly strong performance from the UK travel business and over the summer.
Aviva delivers confident outlook after strong Q3 growth
Insurance giant Aviva hailed a "very strong" performance in the third quarter, with double-digit gains in general insurance premiums, life insurance and retirement sales, and wealth net flows.
B&M reiterates full-year guidance
B&M European Value Retail reiterated its full-year outlook on Thursday after half-year sales ticked higher.
Spirax retains outlook but warns of FX impact on annual results
Fluid technology and thermal solutions group Spirax has left its full-year outlook unchanged after increasing organic sales across all three of its businesses in the third quarter, but warned of a slight impact on results from currency movements.