News And Announcements
Carillion in talks with banks, government and pensions regulators - reports
Carillion's pensions trustees will hold talks with the government and pensions regulators as the construction group battles to avoid breaching its banking terms.
Croda buys Canadian marine biotechnology group and Finnish tech supplier
Speciality chemicals group Croda International has made two technology acquisitions for an undisclosed sum.
Card Factory slumps as it warns earnings will be hit by margin pressure
Card Factory shares slid on Thursday even as the company hailed a “solid” Christmas trading period, as it warned that continued margin pressure will limit any earnings growth for this year.
Boohoo ups full-year sales forecast again as revenues double
Fast fashion brand Boohoo. com bumped up its full-year sales forecast again on Thursday as it said revenues doubled in the four months to the end of December.
Centamin chairman Josef El-Raghy to retire after 20-year stint
Centamin's long-standing executive chairman, Josef El-Raghy, will retire from the Egyptain gold miner at the end of 2018.
John Lewis hails record Black Friday but warns over margin pressure
John Lewis said on Thursday that Black Friday 2017 was its most successful sales day in history, but the retailer also sounded a cautious note about the outlook and said trading was likely be “volatile”.
Hilton Food says trading in line, outlook positive
Specialist food packing business Hilton Food said on Thursday that its performance in the year to the end of December has been in line with the board’s expectations.
Irish, Netherlands recoveries boost Grafton revenues
International builders merchant Grafton said 2017 revenue increased by 8. 8% to £2. 7bn and it expected to report full year earnings before interest, tax and amortisation slightly ahead of consensus forecasts.
GVC Holdings expects strong profits after record fourth quarter
Online gambling group GVC Holdings said profits would be at the top end of its expected range after a record level of net gaming revenue in the final quarter of 2017.
Rathbone Bros reports strong growth in FUM
Wealth manager Rathbone Brothers reported "robust" growth in funds under management as total 2017 net inflows increased to £2. 1bn from £1. 7bn.
Higher US defence spending a boost for Ultra Electronics
Defence contractor Ultra Electronics on Thursday said it had “significant exposure” to a strengthening US defence budget, adding that it expected modest progress in underlying revenue and operating profit for 2018.
Tesco's festive sales fall shy of City forecasts
Tesco reported fairly strong sales growth in the run-up to and including Christmas, though still fell slightly short of City forecasts.
Hays Q2 net fees jump 13% on strong international performance
FTSE 250 recruiter Hays posted a jump in second-quarter net fees on Thursday on the back of growth in its international businesses.
Booker Q3 sales rise 3.4%; sees Tesco merger vote in Feb
Third quarter sales at UK food wholesaler Booker rose 3. 4%, with like-for-likes up 3. 8%, the company said on Thursday.
Marks & Spencer's disappointing food sales sour Christmas trading
Marks & Spencer reported disappointing sales over the festive period, with UK like-for-like sales down 1. 4%.
Weir says effective tax rate to be around 25% after US reforms, effect on group broadly neutral
FTSE 250 engineer Weir said on Thursday that US tax reforms, which cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%, are likely to give rise to an initial one-off non-cash tax credit in 2017 resulting from the revaluation of the group's aggregate US deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.
DCC buys Countrywide LPG unit for £28.75m
International sales, marketing and support services group DCC said it was buying Countrywide Farmers' LPG distribution business for £28. 75m in cash.
Barratt set for 'modest' growth in full year completions
House builder Barratt said it was well positioned for the second half after reporting first half forward plot sales up 3. 8% at 10,921 plots at a value of £2. 38bn, but added that it expected to see "modest" growth in full year completions.