News And Announcements
QinetiQ still expects revenue growth despite slower orders
Defence, security and aerospace-focussed science and engineering company QinetiQ Group saw “slower than expected” orders in its EMEA Services division in the first quarter, amid a “dynamic” trading environment in the wake of the UK General Election.
Hotel Chocolat FY revenue slightly ahead of market expectations
Revenues at AIM-listed Hotel Chocolat rose 12% in the year to 25 June as its new shop format bore fruit.
RPC Group's quarterly profits ahead of expectations, launches buyback
RPC Group, the plastic packaging specialist, reported first-quarter sales and profits ahead of last year's and intends to begin a £100m share buyback programme.
Crude steel output falls at Evraz
Evraz said its consolidated crude steel output fell by 9. 5% quarter-on-quarter to 3. 3 million tonnes in the second quarter, primarily due to planned capital repairs at EVRAZ ZSMK's oxygen steelmaking converter no. 5 and blast furnace no. 2, as well as planned capital repairs at EVRAZ DMZ's oxygen-converter plant.
Drax dives as interim results hit by larger accounting charges
Power plant operator Drax increased operating profits by more than 70% in the first half of the year but slumped to a pre-tax loss after increases to depreciation and amortisation costs and unrealised losses on derivative contracts.
Redefine wants a bigger chunk of International Hotel Properties
Income-focussed UK real estate investment trust Redefine International submitted a proposal to International Hotel Properties Limited (IHL) to increase its shareholding to 50% from a the current 17. 24%, it confirmed on Wednesday.
Ashtead to buy Canada's CRS Contractors Rental Supply
The North American business of equipment rental firm Ashtead, Sunbelt Rentals, has agreed to buy Canadian rental equipment provider CRS Contractors Rental Supply for an initial cash consideration of CAD275m.
Annual production a mixed bag for BHP
BHP Billiton saw mixed results in its production numbers for the year to 30 June, with petroleum down 13% to 208 MMboe, copper off 16% at 1,326 kt, and metallurgical coal production 6% softer at 40 Mt.
TalkTalk quarterly revenues drop 3.2% as consumer revenues decline
Revenues at TalkTalk fell in the three months to the end of June as strong growth in its corporate and wholesale broadband revenues was offset by a drop in consumer revenues.
Wizz Air Q1 profit, revenue rise after strong Easter
Wizz Air reported a 15. 6% jump in first-quarter pre-tax profit on Wednesday as revenue rose, partly thanks to a strong performance over Easter.
Aviva sells Friends Provident International for GBP340m
Aviva has agreed to sell Friends Provident International (FPIL), a unit focused on high-net-worth clients in Asia and the Middle East, for £340m to RL360, a subsidiary of International Financial Group.
Severn Trent lifts business services division guidance
FTSE 100 water company Severn Trent lifted its guidance for its business services division on Wednesday following the sale of its North American business.