Fidelity Top Stories
Vodafone under spotlight as Cevian takes stake
UK telecoms company Vodafone has been targeted by the activist investor Cevian, putting management under pressure to improve its struggling performance, British media reported on Sunday.
Omicron subvariant is 1.5 times more transmissible than original
A new Omicron subvariant known is more transmissible than its forebear which first appeared in South Africa, scientists said at the weekend, although some studies have shown that vaccines are more effective against it.
XP Power in £33m German spending spree
XP Power said it had bought the German firms FuG Elektronik and Guth High Voltage from Dr Simon Consulting for €39m in cash (£32. 8m).
Putin says US, Nato responses do not address key concerns
America and Nato did not address Moscow's "principal concerns" in their responses to its proposals for security guarantees, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
German economy screeches to a halt in Q4 2021, but rebound anticipated
The euro area's largest economy screeched to a halt at the end of 2021 due to the hit from the Omicron variant of Covid-19, although economists expected a rebound.
Russian foreign affairs minister sounds less cool note on US counter proposals
Russia´s foreign affairs minister appeared to sound a less cool response to Washington's response to Moscow's "proposals" for security guarantees.
Cineworld legal battle hots up as Cineplex files cross-appeal
The legal battle between Cineworld and Canada’s Cineplex intensified on Friday as the latter submitted a new claim over compensation.
Russia reacts coolly to US, NATO responses, talks appear set to continue
Russia gave a cool response to Washington's answer overnight to its demands for security guarantees, but according to reports kept the door open to dialogue.
US GDP jumps past forecasts, but only on account of inventory building
America's economy grew much more quickly than expected towards the end of last year, albeit only due to inventory building.
Fevertree shares run out of fizz on margins warning
Shares in Fevertree Drinks plunged on Thursday after the company said margins would be hit harder than expected due to higher costs and logistics issues.
Russian forces in Belarus will not remain in country after February drills
The Russian rouble strengthened slightly, recouping some of the prior session's losses, after Belarus indicated that Russian troops in the country would not remain in the country following military drills planned for February.
Fed keeps policy unchanged, Powell says risks two-sided and avoids specifics
The US central bank didn't spring any immediate surprises on investors following its two-day policy meeting.
Rank hit by Omicron but swings to H1 profits, sees recovery
Casino and bingo operator Rank Group said the surge in Covid Omicron cases had hit its venues in the first three weeks of 2022 as it swung to a first-half profit and tipped a recovery in trade with most pandemic curbs lifted.
EasyJet sees summer capacity at pre-Covid levels as losses halved
Low-cost airline easyJet halved first-quarter losses as Covid-19 travel restrictions were eased and reported a step-up in bookings after the UK government lifted pre-departure testing requirements.
Diageo toasts 15.8% sales rise as spirits in favour
Brewer and distiller Diageo on Thursday reported a rise in first-half sales and profits as people quaffed more spirits at home during the Covid pandemic, but warned of persistent headwinds from the virus and supply-chain constraints.
Normandy Four agree that truce in Donbass must be unconditionally observed, despite differences
A top Russian government advisor described meetings with his Ukrainian, German and French counterparts to try and resolve the situation in the Donbass region as "not easy, but frank".
Playtech urges approval of Aristocrat bid after report of possible breakup
Gambling software maker Playtech has again urged shareholders to accept a £2. 7bn takeover offer from Australia’s Aristocrat Leisure after reports it is planning a breakup and sale of the group if the bid is blocked by a bloc of Asia-based investors.
Fresnillo shares slump on production warning
Shares in Fresnillo slumped on Wednesday as the gold and silver miner forecast a bigger-than-expected hit to 2022 production due to the Covid Omicron variant and new Mexican labour laws.
Wizz Air warns of Q4 loss after Omicron hits third quarter trade
Budget airline Wizz Air on Wednesday reported a third-quarter operating loss of €213. 6m and warned of a higher loss in the final fiscal quarter loss due to the Omicron Covid variant.
Former ambassador to Nato sees diplomatic path out of Ukraine crisis
There was a way out of the current crisis in Ukraine, a former US ambassador to Nato during the Clinton administration argued recently.