Market Report
Shearwater secures £2.3m in contract wins
Cybersecurity services firm Shearwater Group said on Friday that it has secured £2. 3m in contract wins, including a "significant services contract" with a "leading global financial services provider".
Somero CEO to retire, chair to step down
Somero Enterprises announced significant leadership changes on Friday, with chief executive officer and president Jack Cooney set to retire on 31 March after 27 years with the company.
Headlam makes £54m from property sales, announces chair succession
Floorcoverings distributor Headlam Group announced progress in its ongoing transformation plan on Friday, with property sales generating £53. 9m in cash proceeds.
Eden Research gets approval for Novellus+ in Mexico
Biopesticides and biocontrol products developer Eden Research announced on Friday that it has received regulatory approval in Mexico for ‘Novellus+’, an enhanced version of its flagship fungicide ‘Mevalone’.
UK car production plummets 30.1pc in November
UK car manufacturing fell 30. 1% last month to the worst November performance since 1980, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Petra lowers pricing forecasts after mixed third diamond tender
Petra Diamonds reported the final results for its third tender of the 2025 financial year on Friday, revealing a mixed performance as volumes increased but sales and prices declined.
London open: Stocks fall after UK retail sales, borrowing data; US inflation eyed
London stocks fell in early trade on Friday as investors mulled a smaller-than-expected rise in UK retail sales but better-than-expected borrowing figures, ahead of a key US inflation reading.
Two IP Group investees receive cash offers
Science investor IP Group announced on Friday that two of its quoted life sciences portfolio companies have received cash offers, with anticipated proceeds of £13. 8m.
Judges Scientific chairman Alexander Hambro to retire at end of year
Judges Scientific said on Friday that chairman Alexander Hambro has decided to retire at the end of 2024.
UK retail sales rise less than expected in November
UK retail sales missed expectations in November, but borrowing figures came in better than expected, according to data released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
London pre-open: Stocks seen down as investors mull retail sales, borrowing data
London stocks looked set for more losses at the open on Friday as investors mulled a smaller-than-expected rise in retail sales but better-than-expected borrowing figures.
Government clears sale of Royal Mail parent, IP Group gets cash offers for two portfolio firms
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open five points lower on Friday, having closed down 1. 14% on Thursday at 8,105. 32.
Friday newspaper round-up: Aldi, Richard Desmond, Collateral
The grocery industry watchdog is to make a rare intervention in a Yorkshire sprout grower’s £3. 7m legal case against Aldi over the discount chain’s decision to terminate a long-term supply deal. In papers filed at the high court, W Clappison Ltd, which produced sprouts for Aldi’s UK arm for 13 years, said its supply agreement was ended in February last year at planting time without reasonable notice so it was unable to find new clients immediately. It said it was forced to cease sprout production and sell off its machinery.