News And Announcements
Domino's master franchise continues to grow in Poland
Poland’s master franchise operator of the Domino’s Pizza fast food brand and system, DP Poland, reported total system sales as being 50% higher to PLN 27m in its first half on Wednesday, with 17% like-for-like growth in system sales year-on-year.
Haydale Graphene losses to be more than expected
Advanced materials group Haydale Graphene announced that total income for the financial year to 30 June would be in line with market expectations on Wednesday, which would represent a doubling over the prior year.
Regulators lift restrictions on PCF Group banking licence
PCF Group received notification from both the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority that the regulatory restrictions of the bank mobilisation period had been lifted on Tuesday, and it could now commence deposit-taking activities as a fully operational bank.
Venture Life awarded patent, signs new distribution deal
International consumer self-care group Venture Life signed a new long-term distribution agreement for its UltraDEX range, it announced on Wednesday, across four new markets.
Gaming Realms narrows loss in first half
Developer, publisher and licensor of mobile real money and social games Gaming Realms saw revenue rise to £15. 7m in its first half year-on-year, from £14. 9m a year earlier, with its adjusted EBITDA loss narrowing to £0. 9m from £3. 6m in the first half of 2016.
Barclays appoints outgoing Royal Mail FD as non-exec director
Barclays has appointed Royal Mail's outgoing finance director, Matthew Lester, as a non-executive director with effect from 1 September.
Tax Systems paying down debt as it integrates OSMO acquisition
Corporation tax software and services supplier Tax Systems traded in line with expectations in its first half, it said on Wednesday, with net debt of £24m also falling into line with the board’s forecasts.
Royal Mail will deliver, Investec says, but more slowly than expected
Investec cut its target price on shares of Royal Mail, telling clients it was "very positive" on the long-term potential for efficiencies but less so on the outlook for the company's operating margins.
Rhythm pays another $5m to RadiumOne
Digital advertising technology company RhythmOne made a deferred consideration payment of $5m in cash to RadiumOne, it confirmed on Wednesday.
Tristel shares hit fresh 52-week high on back of trading update
Investors cheered Tristel's pre-close trading update after management guided towards stronger-than-expected top and bottom line growth for the full-year.
Reckitt Benckiser agrees USD4.2bn sale of food business to McCormick
Reckitt Benckiser has agreed to sell its food business for $4. 2bn (£3. 2bn) to Schwartz spices owner McCormick.
Morgan Stanley Q2 earnings top expectations
Morgan Stanley's second-quarter earnings beat expectations on Wednesday thanks to a strong performance from its investment banking and wealth management divisions.
Horizon buying GE's Dharmacon for £65m
Gene editing technology company Horizon Discovery Group entered an agreement to acquire Dharmacon from General Electric for a total consideration of $85m (£65m), it announced on Wednesday, subject to a working capital adjustment at completion.
TT Electronics offloads division to AVX
TT Electronics hived off its Transportation Sensing and Control arm in order to pay down debt and fund future growth and acquisitions.
Advanced Oncotherapy secures £3.9m loan
Shareholders in AIM-listed Advanced Oncotherapy, a developer of next-generation proton therapy systems for cancer treatment, have made a £3. 9m loan available to the company.
GlaxoSmithKline said to consider sale of Horlicks in the UK
GlaxoSmithKline was in focus on Wednesday amid reports the pharmaceuticals giant is looking to sell off its Horlicks business.
Wednesday broker round-up
Hunting: Morgan Stanley downgrades to Underweight with a target price of 440p.
Bain and Cinven sweeten offer for Stada
Private equity firms Bain Capital and Cinven have sweetened their offer for German pharmaceutical group Stada.
Morgan Sindall profits surging amid 'much stronger' fit-out trading
Morgan Sindall Group revealed its profits are going to be "substantially" ahead of expectations thanks to margin and profit growth in office fit-out and margin improvement in construction and infrastructure in the first half of the year.
Tracsis wins 'significant' multi-million pound contract
AIM-listed software and services provider Tracsis has been awarded a "significant" multi-million pound contract for the provision of its key software planning products with "a major" UK rail operator.