Market Report
Jersey Oil & Gas shares jump as new well drilling agreed
Independent upstream oil and gas company Jersey Oil & Gas announced on Thursday that Statoil, the operator of its Verbier discovery, has awarded contracts for well drilling at the site.
Hunting swings to profit as Titan performance surges
Energy services group Hunting announced its results for the year ended 31 December on Thursday, with revenue from continuing operations rising to $722. 9m from $455. 8m in 2016.
Europe open: Stocks start March on a down note
Stocks are under heavy selling pressure at the start of the month, with traders apparently continuing to try and digest the potential implications for equities of a modestly more hawkish policy bias from rate-setters in the US.
Great Portland signs up more tenants at Wells Street development
Great Portland Estates has let 23,700 square feet in two separate lettings at its new 37,400 square foot development at 55 Wells Street, W1, it announced on Thursday.
BGEO appoints Czech pilsner veteran as beer division CEO
BGEO Group has appointed Zdenek Radil as chief executive officer of Global Beer Georgia with immediate effect, it announced on Thursday.
AVEVA completes last few steps of Schneider combination
Engineering and industrial software giant AVEVA announced the completion of the combination with the Schneider Electric industrial software business on Thursday morning.
Eurozone unemployment rate holds steady at lowest since Dec 2008
Eurozone unemployment held steady at its lowest level since December 2008 in January, according to figures released by Eurostat on Thursday.
UK manufacturing shows further signs of slowing
UK manufacturing growth slowed slightly in February, according to a survey of managers in the sector published on Thursday, with a major fall in the output balance to its lowest level in almost a year.
Sky catches up with Virgin, BT and TalkTalk as it finally adds Netflix
The saying says if you can’t beat them, join them, and subscription broadcaster Sky was certainly taking that advice on board on Thursday as it announced a partnership that would see Netflix bundled into a new Sky TV package.
Carpetright tumbles as it warns on profits again
British floor coverings retailer Carpetright warned investors on Thursday that trading conditions had remained difficult since its last update on 19 January, with ongoing weak consumer confidence forcing the group to examine a variety of other options to strengthen its balance sheet.
Bovis Homes profit falls as expected, special divi announced
FTSE 250 housebuilder Bovis Homes, which saw off two takeover approaches last year, posted a drop in full-year profit on Thursday in line with expectations, as it said it has seen good demand in the first eight weeks of 2018 and that it is confident of delivering completions in line with expectations.
Prudential appoints James Turner as chief risk officer
Prudential has appointed James Turner as group chief risk officer and as an executive director with immediate effect, succeeding Pat Casey, who is retiring from the company.
Eurozone manufacturing growth eases a touch less than expected in February
Growth in the eurozone manufacturing sector eased a touch less than initially estimated in February, according to data released on Thursday.
Howden profits wobble but sales robust in 2018
Howden Joinery registered a slight fall in annual profit as costs rose faster than revenue but the kitchen company said sales remained robust at the start of 2018.
London open: Stocks edge lower on weak US cues, WPP tumbles on earnings
London stocks edged lower in early trade on Thursday, taking their cue from another downbeat session on Wall Street, as investors pored through another blizzard of corporate news.
WPP blames squeezed client budgets for flatlining revenue
WPP blamed squeezed client marketing budgets for flatlining annual revenue as the world’s biggest advertising company said it made a slow start to 2018.
National Express posts impressive numbers after second-half turnaround
National Express posted its results for the year ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting “strong” performances in both international divisions as well as growth in the UK, leading to solid increases in group revenue, profit and cash and reduced gearing.
Laird rockets on Advent cash offer
Laird has received a £1bn cash offer from private equity group Advent International.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower on weak Wall St cues
London stocks were set for a lower open on Thursday, taking their cue from a weak finish on Wall Street.
Grafton profit jumps 15% amid record revenue
FTSE 250 builders’ merchant Grafton Group, which recently acquired specialist decorators’ merchant Leyland SDM for £82. 4m, reported a 15% jump in full-year profit on Thursday amid record revenue, as it benefited from its exposure to multiple geographies and a diversified customer base.