News And Announcements
Provident Financial holds dividend as first-half profits plunge
Sub-prime lender Provident Financial has maintained its dividend despite reporting a 46% fall in statutory first-half profits, which it blamed entirely on the disruption from reorganising its home credit business.
Grocery price inflation eases off as Tesco growth accelerates
Supermarket prices continue to rise but are no longer accelerating, found researchers at Kantar Worldpanel, with Tesco enjoying the best of the summer but all of the 'big four' still losing market share to discounters.
Gem Diamonds posts drop in Letseng production but price per carat up 20%
Gem Diamonds reported a drop in production from its Letseng mine on Tuesday, mostly due to lower throughput and grades.
Rathbones posts 16.7% pre-tax profit increase in first half of 2017
Asset manager Rathbone Brothers saw its pre-tax profits increase 16. 7% to £26. 6m in the first half during the release of its second-quarter results on Tuesday.
Kodal drops despite positive results from lithium drilling
West Africa-focused explorer Kodal Minerals has completed a major reverse circulation drilling programme at the Bougoni lithium project in southern Mali.
Amryt Pharma study on Lojuxta shows 'highly positive results'
A long-term study of Amryt Pharma's drug Lojuxta confirmed it can lower cholesterol levels in patients suffering from a rare genetic disorder called homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH).
Fevertree fizzes higher as profits surge, sees FY 'materially ahead' of expectations
Shares in Fevertree Drinks fizzed higher on Tuesday after the supplier of carbonated mixers upgraded its full-year guidance and reported a surge in first-half pre-tax profit on the back of strong growth across all regions, channels and flavours.
Virgin Money profits surge but margin outlook hits shares
Interim profits from Virgin Money were strong but the challenger bank's outlook statement warned of a lower than previously anticipated net interest margin due to its decision to accelerate drawings from the term funding scheme.
Michael Kors to buy Jimmy Choo for £896m
Fashion brand Micheal Kors has agreed to buy Jimmy Choo for £896m.
Evain leaving Intermediate Capital in 'excellent position'
Intermediate Capital saw inflows of €0. 6bn in its first quarter, it said on Tuesday, driven by “robust demand” for current fundraising.
Spectris interim profits fall 8% to £37.6m
Instrumentation and controls company Spectris said pre-tax profits fell 8% to £37. 6m in the first half.
Polymetal makes solid first half production progress
Polymetal International produced 278 Koz gold equivalent in the second quarter, it said on Tuesday, which was a 6% improvement year-on-year.
Core business strength offsets consumer electronics softness at Victrex
High-performance polymer solutions company Victrex has performed “well” since the end of the first half, it said on Tuesday, with cash generation continuing to be strong.
PZ Cussons scrubs up 44th year of dividend growth
International consumer products group PZ Cussons revenue fell 1. 5% in its full year to £809. 2m, it reported on Tuesday, although the constant currency and like-for-like changes were both 0. 9%.
Mediclinic CEO steps down
Mediclinic International has begun searching for a new chief executive after Danie Meintjes announced his retirement from the company he joined in 1985.
Informa exhibits a solid half year as profits rise
Business media group Informa said pre-tax profits rose to £148. 8m from £98. 9m as first-half revenue increased 41. 3% on strong trading in its global exhibitions division.
Segro NAV, profit up in first half
Segro posted a 5. 4% rise in first-half net asset value per share and a 23% jump in adjusted pre-tax profit on Tuesday.
Sector growth boosts Croda half-year profits
Half year pre-tax profits at speciality chemical company Croda rose 15. 8% to £168m boosted by currency tailwinds as sales increased 16. 2% to £707. 3m.
Rio Tinto faces SFO investigation into possible corruption
The Serious Fraud Office has launched a corruption probe into Rio Tinto’s activities in Guinea.