News And Announcements
Volga Gas production falls 9pc in April
Oil and gas exploration and production company Volga Gas said on Friday that its average gas processing capacity utilisation decreased by 9% in April when compared to March, due to a few days break for well testing, while test production continued using exclusively the new Redox gas sweetening process.
Sylvania Platinum buys back another 10,800 shares
Sylvania Platinum announced on Friday that between 1 April and 30 April, a total of 10,845 ordinary shares were purchased from non-UK based shareholders at a price of 16. 19 Australian cents per share.
BT planning to cut as many as 6,500 jobs
BT Group is planning to cut around 6,500 jobs, mostly in managerial roles, trade unions reported on Friday.
HSBC profits dip as investment ploughed into UK and China
HSBC announced a $2bn share buyback as it reported a 4% fall in first-quarter profit as costs rose from increased investment in growth and digital banking.
International Personal Finance sees 3% growth in lending
Home credit and digital loans provider International Personal Finance said on Friday that it made a good start to the year, with credit issued growth of 3%, driven by the digital division and Mexico home credit, which was partially offset by a small contraction in its European home credit markets.
Mixed results in UK local elections
Both Labour and the Conservatives failed to maintain control over key councils across England in local elections, as results streamed in on Friday.
Buoyant Polish economy boosts DP Poland in first quarter
DP Poland, the franchise holder for the Domino’s Pizza brand in Poland, updated shareholders on its trading on Friday, which it said was in line with management expectations.
Microsaic Systems makes 'encouraging progress', investors told
Shareholders in Microsaic Systems were told of “encouraging progress” with the company’s commercial development on Friday, as they gathered for its annual general meeting.
IP Group chairman Mike Humphrey steps down
Intellectual property-based business developer IP Group announced on Friday that Mike Humphrey has indicated that, for personal reasons, he wishes to retire and step down from his position as non-executive chairman and a director of the company, as soon as a suitable replacement can be recruited.
Morgan Sindall on track for 'slightly' better 2018 results as fit out provides boost
Construction services business Morgan Sindall said on Friday that it's on track to deliver 2018 results that are "slightly ahead" of its previous expectations following another strong performance from its fit-out division.
Polymetal completes sale of Dolinnoye stake, terminates deferred Kyzyl consideration
Polymetal shareholders were met with a busy news day from the firm on Friday, as it completed the sale of its interest in the Dolinnoye gold property, and confirmed the early termination of the deferred consideration it owed on its 2014 Kyzyl acquisition.
Norwegian rejects two takeover bids from IAG
IAG’s quiet plans to swallow all of Norwegian Air Shuttle were unwrapped on Friday, as the nascent Scandinavian low-cost carrier revealed it has already rejected two bids from the British Airways owner.
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels hit by stronger pound and London weakness
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels had a mixed first quarter, with stronger underlying revenue growth and profits despite weaker trading in London, but currency swings hampering top-line growth.
Intercontinental Hotels makes quick start on signings, but union protests wages
InterContinental Hotels Group increased revenue per available room 3. 5% in the first quarter and had its best start to the year for new hotel signings in over a decade.
BGEO buys ski-in, ski-out hotel project in Gudauri
BGEO Group's real estate subsidiary, m2 Real Estate, has acquired an under-construction hotel in Gudauri for a total cash consideration of $7. 2m including VAT, it announced on Friday.
Jacques Vert owner Calverton Brands prepares to go into administration
Calverton Brands, owner of the Jacques Vert clothing retail brand, is expected to appoint administrators on Friday, as the potential collapse of another chain suffering from the brutal high street conditions will put around 1,000 jobs in danger.
Virgin Media rejigs office locations
US-owned cable broadband operator Virgin Media plans to close a call centre in Swansea and Nottingham and two more as it halves the number of offices but upgrades facilities there.
EasyJet passenger numbers ascend again, Tegel operations on track
EasyJet’s passenger numbers once again flew higher in April, with the company reporting a total of 7,452,647 customers in its seats during the month on Friday - a 4. 7% improvement on the same period last year.
Games Workshop sees full-year profits and sales slightly above expectations
Retailer Games Workshop said on Friday that sales and profits for 2017/18 are likely to be "slightly above" expectations.
National Grid CFO Bonfield to step down
National Grid said on Friday that Andrew Bonfield will step down as group chief financial officer to take up a role in a US public company, which will also enable him to be closer to his family.