News And Announcements
Wednesday broker round-up
Direct Line: Credit Suisse upgrades to Outperform with a target price of 410p.
Next 15 acquiring Circle Research in £5.2m deal
Digital communications group Next 15 confirmed on Wednesday that it was acquiring the entire issued share capital of business-to-business market research consultancy Circle Research, through its data and insights subsidiary MIG Global.
RBS settles with US regulator over mortgage-backed securities
Royal Bank of Scotland has agreed a settlement with US regulators of $5. 5bn (£4. 2bn) to resolve claims over its issue of residential mortgage-backed securities in the run-up to the financial crisis, though .
Windar Photonics 2016 strength continues in H1 2017
Developer of LiDAR wind sensor technology for electricity-generating wind turbines, Windar Photonics, said it had continued its “improving trend” of the latter parts of 2016 into the first half of 2017 in a trading update on Wednesday.
O2 picks Cisco for superfast gigabit WiFi in the City
Mobile network operator O2 confirmed a major step forward in its rollout of gigabit-WiFi in the City of London on Wednesday, selecting Cisco for its project.
Amiad confident in gaining France sanitation certificate
Water treatment and filtration systems provider Amiad updated the market on issues with the sanitation certification used by its French subsidiary, saying it had now put in place new management oversight of both its French and wider European operations.
Rumours resurface of takeover bid for Spire Healthcare
Spire Healthcare is now in the crosshairs of its major shareholder, Mediclinic International, according to a report.
Forbidden Tech pilots Forscene with 'major' North American broadcaster
Forbidden Technologies announced a paid-for pilot for its Forscene video platform on Wednesday, with an unnamed “major” North American broadcaster and sports rights holder.
Manx Telecom to invest in more fibre-to-the-premises
Isle of Man telecommunications provider Manx Telecom said on Wednesday that it was prioritising more investment in fibre optic cabling, to bring download speeds of one gigabit per second (1Gbps) to “selected” homes and businesses across the island later this year.
Acquisitions boost top and bottom line growth at Micro Focus
Micro Focus International reported continued top and bottom-line growth, boosted by recent acquisitions and ahead of its expected takeover of Hewlett Packard Enterprises's software arm.
Premier gushes higher after striking oil at first well offshore Mexico
Premier Oil's shares gushed higher after announcing it had struck crude offshore Mexico.
UltraDEX continues to drive growth at Venture Life
Consumer self-care company Venture Life Group reported unaudited half-year revenue growth of 28% on Wednesday, in a trading update for the six months to June, with revenues totalling £7. 8m.
Shell to sell upstream operations in Ireland for $1.23bn
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has agreed a deal to divest its upstream oil interests in Ireland for up to $1. 23bn.
Full-year completions at nine year high says Barratt
Barratt Developments claimed to be the UK’s largest housebuilder in a trading update on Wednesday, reporting total completions in its full year to 30 June - including those from joint ventures - of 17,395.
B&M European Value off to a flier thanks to hot weather and groceries
Discount chain operator B&M European Value Retail set off at an impressive pace in its new financial year, it revealed on Wednesday, buoyed by strong sales of garden furniture in the recent hot spell.
Daejan Holdings makes solid progress in year through March
London-based property business Daejan Holdings posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 March on Wednesday morning, with its investment property figure for the year rising to £2. 26bn from £2. 01bn at the same time last year.
Burberry's Gobbetti eyes better store productivity, promises 'new energy'
New Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti began his reign with an encouraging first quarter and a promise to create "new energy to drive growth" amid what he said was "a time of great change" for the company and the wider luxury industry.
NEX Group sees solid revenue growth in first quarter
Financial technology company NEX Group saw group revenue rise 10% on a constant currency basis in its first quarter, it reported in a trading update on Wednesday morning, with revenue for the three months to 30 June improving 20% on a reported basis.
SSP sales speed higher in third quarter
Sales accelerated at SSP Group, which operates food and drink outlets in airports, train and motorway service stations for the likes of Burger King, Starbucks and Upper Crust, in the third quarter, which was slightly ahead of management expectations.
Hochschild Mining on track to meet 2017 targets
Hochschild Mining reported ‘robust’ attributable production in its second quarter on Wednesday, with 4. 2 million ounces of silver, 60,815 ounces of gold, 9. 3 million silver equivalent ounces and 126,007 gold equivalent ounces.