News And Announcements
Interserve among those monitored by government after Carillion collapse
News that Interserve was being closely monitored by the UK government after collapse into insolvency of contracting peer Carillion sent its shares tumbling on Wednesday.
Veltyco takes 51% of crypto wallet provider
Online marketing company Veltyco Group said it was buying a 51% stake in Varkasso, which provides crypto wallet solutions known as 8Crypt through a cash and shares combination worth €0. 3m.
Rolls-Royce slims down to three business, eyeing commercial marine sale
Rolls-Royce may sell off its commercial marine business as part of a new restructuring that will see the group run in three operating divisions.
Cobham says employees at chopper unit bought fake degrees
Defence contractor Cobham on Wednesday said seven employees at its helicopter unit had bought fake university degrees, after a media report exposed a trade in thousands of the qualifications.
Crossrail hands Soho Place over to Derwent London
Crossrail has completed the base infrastructure works at Soho Place, London W1, and handed over the site to Derwent London.
Bank of America Q4 earnings beat expectations despite tax charge
Bank of America posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, even as it took a big hit from US tax reforms.
Faroe Petroleum awarded 8 Norwegian licences
Independent oil and gas company Faroe Petroleum said it has been awarded eight new prospective exploration licences, including four operatorships, in the Norwegian North Sea.
Drax to convert fourth biomass unit by second half of this year
Drax said on Wednesday that it plans to complete work on the conversion of a fourth unit to biomass in the second half of this year, returning it to service in late 2018.
Informa and events rival UBM propose £10bn merger
Informa, the events and specialist publishing group, has agreed a potential merger with events-focused rival UBM in a deal that is expected to create a £10bn giant and generate "significant synergies".
Melrose offer rebuffed again as it goes hostile in bid for GKN
Melrose Industries has gone hostile with its bid for GKN, making a sweetened offer of 430. 1p per share, or £7. 4bn, but the engineer has rebuffed it again.
Midwich sees FY adjusted profit 'comfortably ahead' of its expectations
AIM-listed Midwich said on Wednesday that it expects to report a jump in revenue for 2017 following good trading momentum in the second half, while adjusted pre-tax profit is seen "comfortably ahead" of the group's previous expectations.
Burberry sales stumble but Gobbetti confident with new direction
Burberry reported slower sales growth in the last three months of 2017 than had been expected but the luxury clothes retailer remained confident of sashaying on to hit full year profit targets as initial progress is made on its new strategy.
Winkworth sees FY profit slightly ahead of market expectations
AIM-listed estate agent Winkworth said on Wednesday that revenue for 2017 should be in line with market expectations, while profit is likely to be slightly higher.
IWG rallies on Brookfield, Onex bid report
Shares in serviced office provider IWG, formerly Regus, rallied on Wednesday following a report that Canada's Brookfield Asset Management and Onex Corp are preparing an offer that values the company at around £2. 7bn.
Pearson sees 2017 profits of up to £575m as US continues to weigh
Publishing group Pearson said it expected 2017 adjusted operating profit around £570m-575m and adjusted earnings per share of 53. 5p-54. 5p at effective exchange rates, as lower US educational sales still dragged on the company.
Acacia completes sales of Burkina Faso smelter royalty stake
Acacia Mining said it had completed the sale $45m sale of a 2% net smelter royalty over the Houndé Mine in Burkina Faso.
Diploma says Q1 revenues up 10% year-on-year
Specialist technical products group Diploma said first quarter revenues were up 10% year on year.
Cineworld FY revenue jumps 12%, launches rights issue for Regal deal
Cineworld reported a jump in full-year revenue on Wednesday as it announced a fully-underwritten rights issue to raise money to part fund its acquisition of US cinema chain Regal.
Dairy Crest appoints FD Tom Atherton as deputy chief executive
Food manufacturer Dairy Crest has appointed its group finance director, Tom Atherton, as deputy chief executive with immediate effect.
Beazley sees FY profits at upper end of expectations
Specialist insurer Beazley said full year pre-tax profits for the year ended 31 December 2017 would be ahead of current market expectations.