News And Announcements
Stagecoach pleased with DfT direction for rail franchises, others cry 'bailout'
Stagecoach Group issued a statement on Wednesday welcoming the planned “new direction” for the UK rail network, as announced by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Mkango Resources awarded prospecting licence for Chimimbe Hill
Mkango Resources has been granted an exclusive prospecting licence covering the Chimimbe Hill nickel-cobalt deposit and other targets in Mchinji district, central Malawi, it announced on Wednesday.
Plutus brings two new power generation facilities online
Flexible energy generation-focussed power developer Plutus Powergen has brought a further two new power generation facilities into operation in the UK, it announced on Wednesday.
Oxford Pharmascience upbeat on latest OXPzero advice
Specialty pharmaceutical redeveloper Oxford Pharmascience has received pre-IND scientific advice from the US FDA, it announced on Wednesday, regarding the development programme requirements likely to be needed to support a future new drug application for an over-the-counter product containing OXPzero Ibuprofen.
Futura Medical begins recruitment for erectile gel study
Transdermal technology-focussed healthcare company Futura Medical announced on Wednesday that recruitment has commenced for its pharmacokinetic (PK) study of MED2002 - its novel gel for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Verditek and partners reach 'key milestone' with CO2 capture tech
Clean technology firm Verditek announced on Wednesday that its group company Westec Environmental Solutions, along with Norway's largest research institute for energy and climate technology SINTEF and the Carbon Capture & Conversion Institute - one of Canada's CMC Research Institutes- have reached a “key milestone” on a collaborative project to deliver a step-change improvement in CO2 capture technology efficiency.
Lord Burns nominated as new Ofcom chairman
Terry Burns, the former Treasury mandarin and Channel 4 chairman, has been chosen as the government's preferred new chair of media and telecoms regulator Ofcom.
Lloyds to close a further 49 UK branches
Lloyds Banking Group is preparing to close another 49 branches in the UK, according to union group Unite.
Helios confirms 26% uplift in underwriting capacity for 2018
Helios Underwriting announced on Wednesday that its capacity for the 2018 year of account would commence at £41m - an increase of 26% over opening capacity for 2017 year of account.
Stifel initiates coverage of Fidessa at 'sell', highlights headwinds
Software and services company Fidessa was under pressure on Wednesday as Stifel initiated coverage of the stock at 'sell' with a 2,054p price target, pointing to a number of headwinds.
Ortac makes further gold finds at Akyanga site
Ortac Resources said it had further significant results from tests at its Akyanga gold deposit in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
HSS Hire returns to profit in third quarter
HSS Hire returned to profit in the third quarter after cost cuts helped it recover from a loss in the first half of the year.
Clarksons hit by cyber security incident
Shipping services provider Clarksons said its computer systems were accessed in a cyber security incident and that the person or persons behind it could release some data on Wednesday.
FCA accuses fund managers of sharing information on share offers
The Financial Conduct Authority has accused four fund management companies of breaking competition law by sharing information during share offers.
Britvic fizzes higher on strong results, confident outlook despite drinks levy
Annual profits from Britvic fell less than expected as a poor performance from UK still soft drinks was balanced by a more effervescent performance from carbonated drinks at home and overseas.
Telford Homes on track to meet full-year expectations
AIM-listed Telford Homes said on Wednesday that it expects pre-tax profit for FY2018 to exceed £40m as it posted a slight drop in interim profit.
SafeCharge sees FY results in line with market expectations
Advanced payment technologies specialist SafeCharge said on Wednesday that trading ahead of the 2017 year end has been strong and results for the year are expected to be line with market views.
Daejan says Brexit is a challenge for UK property business
Daejan Holdings said Brexit posed a challenge to its UK business as the property investment company posted lower first-half profit.
Strong funds growth and acquisitions push Brewin Dolphin to solid results
Independent wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin Holdings reported “another strong period” of organic fund inflows in its preliminary results on Wednesday, as it continued to deliver against its strategic plan.
LondonMetric H1 net rental income up 12%, to buy two logistics warehouses
LondonMetric posted a 12% jump in first-half net rental income on Wednesday as it said it has agreed to buy two logistics warehouses for £47. 6m, reflecting a blended net initial yield of 5. 0% rising to a minimum of 5. 6% after five years.