Fidelity Top Stories
UK retail sales rise but most categories decline - BRC
Retail sales rose in March as the UK marked a year from the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown but most categories remained in decline, industry figures showed.
Apple, Google block NHS Covid-19 app update over privacy concerns
Apple and Google blocked a planned update for the NHS Covid-19 app that traces outbreaks of the virus in England and Wales.
Darktrace announces intention to float
Darktrace has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange in an offer likely to value the artificial intelligence (AI) cyber-security company at up to £3bn.
UK exporters report fall in Q1 sales after Brexit/Covid hit - BCC
UK exporters have reported lower sales in the first quarter, blaming the double impact of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Hammerson confirms talks with Canada's Brookfield on retail park sale
Shopping centre owner Hammerson confirmed it was in talks with Canadian private equity firm Brookfield on a possible sale of its retail parks.
BHP's Samarco files for bankruptcy protection over Brazil dam disaster
Samarco Mineracao, a Brazilian joint venture between Vale and BHP, has filed for bankruptcy protection in response to creditors’ claims over a 2015 dam collapse that killed 19 people, BHP said on Monday.
Frasers doubles forecast Covid hit to £200m on fears of third wave
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has doubled its Covid-related impairments estimate to £200m as it believes a third wave of the virus will lead to "almost certain" new restrictions.
Rio Tinto, Turquoise Hill sign funding deal on Oyu Tolgoi copper mine
Rio Tinto said it has signed a binding heads of agreement with Turquoise Hill Resources on an updated funding plan of around $2. 3bn to finish the Oyu Tolgoi copper project in Mongolia.
CureVac hoping for EU approval of Covid-19 jab by June
German Covid vaccine maker CureVac is hoping that emergency use approval from the European Union for its coronavirus jab will be forthcoming by June.
Dunelm sees FY profit 'modestly ahead' of forecasts
Homewares group Dunelm said it expected to finish the year “modestly ahead” of expectations as it reported a 16. 8% fall in third quarter sales, reflecting the impact of the latest national Covid lockdown.
Northern Ireland govt to meet as Belfast riots escalate
The devolved Northern Irish government is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the ongoing riots in Belfast after a sixth consecutive night of disturbances.
Ferrexpo first quarter output up 2%
Iron ore miner Ferrexpo said first quarter production rose slightly, reflecting the impact of ongoing pelletiser upgrade work on output.
Shell sees $200m hit from Texas snowstorms; oil unit to turn profit
Extreme weather in Texas during February was expected to hit Royal Dutch Shell’s first-quarter adjusted earnings by up to $200m, the oil giant said on Wednesday.
Croda buys French fragrance business for €45m
UK chemicals firm Croda International said it had bought French fine fragrance business Parfex for €45m.
ShoreCap hails 'promising' results of Valneva's Scottish Covid-19 vaccine
Analysts at Shore Capital hailed the "promising" results of French vaccine manufacturer Valneva's early-stage clinical trials for its proposed shot against Covid-19.
Air France surrenders 18 Orly slots in return for €4bn refinancing
Air France has won EU approval for a €4bn recapitalisation plan by the French government after agreeing to give up valuable slots at Orly airport in Paris as it looked to bolster finances hammered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
EU expects near-total inoculation by July
Brussels expects to receive enough jabs by the end of June to vaccinate most of the European Union's population against Covid-19.
UK Covid travel tests would price people off flights - easyJet CEO
Proposed UK Covid test rules for international travel would make flying too expensive for most people, the boss of budget airline easyJet said on Tuesday.
Homeserve sees profits rise on DIY surge during pandemic
UK maintenance company Homeserve said it expected a £10m rise in annual profits as the home improvement market surged during the coronavirus pandemic.
BP expects to hit $35bn net debt target in Q1
BP on Tuesday said it expected to hit its $35bn net debt target during the first quarter of 2021 after faster-than-expected progress on its disposals programme and a "strong" quarter driven by recovering oil prices.