News And Announcements
EU vote blocks copyright reform and saves tech giants from payouts
The European Parliament has rejected a proposed internet copyright law that would have forced tech giants such as Google, YouTube and Facebook to increase payouts over royalties.
Ryanair cabin and ground crew announce European strikes this month
Ryanair cabin and ground crew from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium have announced coordinated strikes for July in an escalation of the airline’s labour dispute.
Centrica Business chief executive announces retirement
Mark Hanafin, chief executive of Centrica Business, a subsidiary of energy and services firm Centrica, intends to retire from the London-listed group at the end of March 2019.
Iceland is top supermarket in satisfaction index but Amazon takes grand prize
Iceland displaced Waitrose to be named the top UK supermarket for customer satisfaction for the first time, coming in tenth place on a list of the country’s top performing businesses.
Empiric Student Property makes 'good progress' in first half
Empiric Student Property updated the market on its trading on Thursday, reporting that it continued to make “good progress” on delivering financial and operational improvements across the business in its first half, and remained “on track” to meet its previously-stated targets.
Bacanora Lithium secures $150m debt facility for Sonora project
Bacanora Lithium has entered into a $150m senior debt facility with RK Mine Finance for the development of Stage 1 of the Sonora Lithium Project in Mexico, an initial 17,500tpa lithium carbonate operation, it announced on Thursday.
The Gym Group completes purchase of 13 easyGym branches
The Gym Group confirmed the completion of its acquisition of 13 branches of easyGym on Thursday, having initially announced the purchase on 13 June.
MJ Gleeson says annual profit will comfortably meet forecasts
MJ Gleeson said its annual results would easily meet market expectations after both the company’s businesses performed strongly.
Grocery sales to surge as football fans stock up on booze
British, or mainly English, shoppers are predicted to make an extra £1. 4m trips to the shops to stock up on alcohol and other groceries before England’s World Cup quarter final with Sweden.
Sinclair Pharma sales progress as company repatriates product rights
Aesthetics company Sinclair Pharma announced an unaudited trading update for the six months ended 30 June on Thursday, reporting that unaudited sales for the period were £21. 3m, or £21. 6m at constant currency, up from £20. 1m a year earlier.
New car sales stall in June, ending spurt of increases
Sales of new cars fell in June ending a brief burst of increases in the preceding two months that the industry had hoped would draw a line under its torrid period.
Purplebricks sees further revenue surge but losses to continue
Purplebricks said revenue could almost double again this year but the DIY estate agent's annual operating loss quadrupled after it spent more on marketing with profitability pushed back from next year to 2021.
Johnson Service Group trading slightly ahead of expectations
Textile rental provider Johnson Service Group updated the market on its trading for the six months ended 30 June on Thursday, reporting that since its update in early May, trading had continued to be “strong”.
Advanced Medical Solutions trading in line after first half
Surgical and advanced wound care specialist company Advanced Medical Solutions Group updated the market on its trading in the six months ended 30 June on Thursday.
Glencore launches $1bn share buyback programme
Glencore announced the start of a share buyback programme of up to $1bn on Thursday, to run until 31 December, to get investors back on side after US authorities launched an investigation into its business in Africa.
Assura makes solid progress on investments and acquisitions
Primary care property investor and developer Assura updated the market on its trading for the first quarter to 30 June on Thursday, reporting that it continued to make progress in the first quarter, increasing the size of the pipeline by £73m to £225m.
Bovis boss eyes 'significant step up' in profits
Builder Bovis Homes said it expects to deliver a significant step up in profitability in the first half as management's new strategy begins to pay off.
Mason to leave CFO role at Halfords at the end of the month
Halfords updated the market on the departure of its chief financial officer Jonny Mason on Thursday, reporting that his leaving date has now been agreed as 31 July.
UKCP REIT sells Bristol building, buys one in Reading
UK Commercial Property REIT announced the acquisition of the White Building, a multi-let office asset on King's Road in Reading, from Boultbee Brooks Real Estate in partnership with a client of CBRE Global Investors on Thursday.
Great Portland Estates makes solid leasing and sales progress
Great Portland Estates updated the market on its trading for the quarter to 30 June on Thursday, reporting a number of leasing successes ahead of kits March estimated recovery value.