News And Announcements
Synairgen upbeat on recent LOXL2 inhibitor findings
Respiratory drug discovery and development company Synairgen announced on Wednesday that, following the successful completion of preclinical pharmacology and toxicology studies, a compound from its anti-fibrotic Lysyl Oxidase type 2 (LOXL2) inhibitor programme - PXS-5382A - was being prepared to commence Phase I clinical development.
Vectura's growing recurring revenues cushion blow of bigger loss
Respiratory drug device specialist Vectura reported a wider first-half loss as its revenues moved towards recurring sources amid fewer milestone payments.
WPP takes minority stake in US podcasting group Gimlet Media
Advertising giant WPP said on Wednesday that it is investing $5m for a minority stake in US podcasting company Gimlet Media.
Ryanair shakes up baggage fees as passengers lose extra cabin bag
Budget airline Ryanair fell 1% at the open on Wednesday after it announced a series of changes to its baggage regulations, including the withdrawal of a second cabin bag for non-priority passengers.
Vodafone sells stake in Vodacom for ZAR14.85m
Vodafone has sold 90m shares in Vodacom at ZAR165 per share, raising gross proceeds of ZAR14. 85bn, or around €962m.
Barratt expects 'modest' housing growth as final dividend soars
Barratt Developments increased its final dividend 39% and doubled it again with a special dividend, as the housebuilder began the new year with strong forward sales and an unchanged outlook for "modest growth" in sales volumes.
Interserve wins £90m contract with DfT
Support services and construction group Interserve has won a new five-year contract worth £90m to provide total facilities management services for the Department for Transport.
Amec Foster Wheeler awarded $604m contract with Yuhang Chemical
Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded a $604m engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) fixed price contract, it announced on Wednesday, for part of a $1. 85bn methanol plant being developed by Yuhuang Chemical, a US-based subsidiary of China's Shandong Yuhuang Chemical Company.
EasyJet traffic up 9% in August, load factor ticks higher
Budget carrier easyJet posted a rise in passenger numbers in August as the load factor ticked higher.
Sophos lifts full-year billings guidance
FSTE 250 network security solutions provider Sophos lifted its full-year billings guidance on Wednesday.
McCarthy & Stone hails 'strong' recovery
FTSE 250 retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone said on Wednesday that it saw a "strong" recovery in the second half of the year, with revenue and the order book up on the previous year despite uncertainty brought about by Brexit and the general election.
Berkeley Group reports in-line trading, uncertainty still weighing on London market
Ahead of its annual shareholders meeting, Berkeley Group said trading conditions over the first four months of the new financial year had been in-line with management's expectations, but added that uncertainty around Brexit, stamp duty and mortgage interest deductibility continued to negatively impact the London market.
Petrofac awarded $700m Sakhalin Energy contract
Petrofac has been awarded a contract worth more than $700m by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, it announced on Wednesday, for its onshore processing facility on Sakhalin Island.
Acacia Mining takes out gold price protection measures
Acacia Mining has bought gold put options as part of measures to mitigate cash outflows as it put one of its underground mines on care and maintenance amid Tanzania's ongoing ban on exporting mineral concentrates.