News And Announcements
Apple finds serious labour and environmental violations as audits expand
Apple has announced on Wednesday that it has found serious violations of labour and environmental policies after expanding its audit into staff conditions at its manufacturing activities.
Interserve surge squeezes shorts amid Emerald rescue reports
Interserve shares surged more than 40% on Thursday afternoon, exerting a deep squeeze on one of the most shorted stocks on the London Stock Exchange.
Wood Group wins contract with Aramco and SABIC
Wood Group has won a new contract to develop the world’s largest crude oil to chemicals complex in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Saudi Aramco and SABIC.
Conviviality sees current year earnings 20% below market views
AIM-listed alcohol wholesaler Conviviality was under pressure on Thursday after saying that adjusted earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation for the current year are likely to be around 20% below current market expectations.
Concepta gets ethics committee approval for myLotus UK trials
Women’s fertility mobile health product developer Concepta announced on Thursday that it has received ethics committee approval to start the user trial for its myLotus product in the UK.
Platinum Eagle eyes FanDuel acquisition after failed DraftKings merger
Fantasy sports company FanDuel was said to be eyeing another merger, just eight months after its proposed combination with DraftKings that was later blocked by antitrust regulators.
Improved second half sees FIH lift expectations
Falkland Islands-focussed specialist services group FIH updated the market on its expected trading performance for the year ending 31 March on Thursday, reporting that based on management results for the 10 months to January and on current levels of trading activity, it now expected overall underlying pre-tax profits would be higher than previously anticipated.
Applied Graphene Materials sees success in tailgate collaboration
Specialty graphene materials producer Applied Graphene Materials announced the first result of its collaboration with Magna Exteriors and SHD Composites on the W Motors Fenyr SuperSport tailgate on Thursday.
Diversified completes £67m acquisition of Alliance Petroleum
Independent US-based gas and oil producer Diversified Gas & Oil confirmed on Thursday that it has completed the acquisition of Alliance Petroleum Corporation.
Starcom manages to narrow losses in 2017
Wireless tracking, monitoring and protection technology specialist Starcom announced its final results for the year ended 31 December on Thursday, reporting a 6% increase in revenue to $5. 4m.
Melrose gets shareholder, EC OK for hostile GKN bid as engineer lays out strategic plan
Turnaround specialist Melrose Industries said on Thursday that its shareholders and the European Commission have backed its £7. 4bn hostile bid for engineer GKN.
Capital & Regional pleased with repositioning programme
Community shopping centre investor Capital & Regional announced its results for the year ended 30 December on Thursday, with adjusted profit rising 8. 6% to £29. 1m, and adjusted earnings per share ahead 7. 3% at 4. 10p.
Anglo-Irish agribusiness Origin pleases with quiet first half progress
Agri-services group Origin Enterprises announced its interim results for the half year ended 31 January on Thursday, reporting good first half performance in a seasonally quiet trading period, with operating profit 12. 6% higher at €2. 3m.
Premier Oil achieves record production in 2017
Premier Oil said on Thursday that it achieved its best ever year of production in 2017 as revenue and cash flows rose, although it posted a loss after tax.
US health insurer Cigna to buy Express Scripts in $67bn deal
US health insurer Cigna Corporation has agreed to buy pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts in a cash and stock deal valued at around $67bn, which includes the assumption of approximately $15bn in Express debt.
Aviva ups growth targets after completing simplification process
Life insurer Aviva grew earnings per share 7% and the dividend 18% for 2017 and has upgraded its growth targets for 2018 and beyond, though a slip in Canada and perhaps the shape of capital returns were a disappointment to some investors.
Alliance Trust hails new approach as returns outperform market
Alliance Trust said its new investment approach was paying off as it posted annual returns that outperformed the market.
Countrywide craters as it swings to a loss, scraps divi and warns on 2018
Shares in estate agency Countrywide tumbled on Thursday as it said it swung to a loss in 2017, scrapped its dividend and sounded a cautious note on its outlook.
John Lewis profit drops 77% amid subdued consumer demand, margin pressure
Department store chain John Lewis cut its staff bonus to the lowest level in 64 years as annual profits slumped amid subdued demand and margin pressure.
Stobart reports good progress in 2017
Stobart Group said it made good progress in 2017 as passenger numbers rose strongly at its London Southend Airport site.