News And Announcements
Shire splits in two, holds back from ADHD division spin-off
Shire is going to split itself into two, with one arm focused on rare diseases and the other on neuroscience, with separate reporting to begin from the first quarter of 2018 and a decision on a possible spin-off later this year.
Prospect union members agree BT pension fund changes
Members of the Prospect union working for telecoms firm BT have voted to accept changes to their pension scheme, the union said on Monday.
Magnolia Petroleum involved in new Oklahoma wells
Magnolia Petroleum, the AIM-quoted US focused oil and gas exploration and production company, said three extra increased density oil wells would be drilled near the Gilchrist well in Oklahoma.
Ashtead's 'overweight' rating reiterated by JP Morgan, target price upped
Analysts at JP Morgan Cazenove revised their target price for Ashtead Group' s shares from 2,400p to 2,450p and reiterated their 'overweight' rating on the same, highlighting the 'rare' opportunity for the company, which was already a market leader in the US, to continue growing its market share in that North American market.
Prospex Oil and Gas raises £1.2m in placing
AIM-listed Prospex Oil and Gas has raised £1. 2m in an oversubscribed placing of 200m shares, which will ensure the group is fully funded for its basic 2018 work programmes across its portfolio of investments in late stage European onshore oil and gas projects.
Amryt Pharma signs distribution agreement for Lojuxta in Switzerland
Biopharmaceutical group Amryt Pharma has signed an exclusive distributor agreement for Lojuxta, its treatment for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) - a rare, life-limiting disease that impairs the body's ability to remove bad cholesterol from the blood - in Switzerland.
Micro Focus share slump as H1 numbers disappoint
Shares in Micro Focus slumped in early morning trade as first half results failed to meet expectations as the stock.
McBride warns over first-half operating profit
Personal care and cleaning products manufacturer McBride was under the cosh on Monday as it said full-year earnings would be broadly in line with the prior year while operating profit for the first six months of the year will below the board's expectations.
Randall & Quilter CFO Booth resigns
Non-life legacy insurance investor Randall & Quilter announced some changes to its senior management team on Monday, including the resignation of its chief financial officer, as it continues to work towards the simplification of the group.
Shanta Gold appoints Luke Leslie as CFO
AIM-listed gold producer, developer and explorer Shanta Gold said on Monday that it has appointed Luke Leslie as its chief financial officer with effect from 1 January.
KCR Residential acquires leasehold apartment
AIM-listed KCR Residential's wholly-owned subsidiary Osprey has acquired a further apartment within one of its freehold retirement residential developments.
BGEO's Bank of Georgia draws down second loan to support SMEs
BGEO Group's banking arm has drawn down 135m Georgian lari (£38. 5m) from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Micro Focus half year profits soar 28.7% as HPE buy kicks in
Software group Micro Focus said interim pre-tax profits rose 28. 7% to $145. 7m after the acquisition of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's software unit helped to increase revenue.
Gem Diamonds recovers two high quality diamonds from Letseng
Gem Diamonds has recovered high quality 117 and 110 carat, D colour Type IIa diamonds from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho.
Coats appoints Ann Fahy as non-executive director
International thread maker Coats Group said it had appointed Anne Fahy as a non-executive director, effective March 1, 2018.
Babcock to lead bid consortium for new UK frigate contract
Babcock on Monday said it would lead a bespoke team of industry partners in a bid for the UK Ministry of Defence's new £1. 25bn Type 31e general purpose light frigate programme.
TP Icap acquires US-based energy and commodities broker SCS
TP Icap has strengthened its energy and commodities division with the acquisition of US-based energy and commodities broker SCS Commodities for an undisclosed cash sum and further performance-related amounts over five years.