News And Announcements
BBC spends £2.5m to recruit PR agencies to promote licence fee
The BBC issued contracts worth £2. 5m to recruit six PR agencies to promote the benefits of paying a monthly TV licence fee and detail the consequences of not paying over a three to five-year period.
Rank veteran cashes in his chips
Rank Group finance director Clive Jennings is stepping down after an 18-year stint, just three months after the casino operator's new boss arrived.
WPP brings US based Gorilla into the room
WPP has agreed to acquire Chicago-based e-commerce specialist Gorilla through its wholly-owned global digital agency, Wunderman.
Stock Spirits interim profit fizzes higher as Polish business stabilises
Stock Spirits posted a rise in first-half profit on Wednesday as revenue grew and the company's Polish business stabilised.
Homebase reportedly to close 80 stores next week
Troubles DIY chain Homebase was reportedly preparing to announce the closure of up to 80 stores next week, with the loss of about 1,000 jobs.
Quilter quick out of the block with special divi after maiden results
Quilter celebrated a strong first set of results since spinning out of Old Mutual by paying shareholders a 12p special interim dividend.
Victoria completes acquisition of Ceramica Saloni
Floor coverings company Victoria confirmed on Wednesday that, further to its announcement on 6 August, it has completed the acquisition of Cerámica Saloni.
Savannah Petroleum signs binding memorandum with Niger government
Oil and gas company Savannah Petroleum announced the signature of a legally-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) between its Niger subsidiary, Savannah Niger, and the Republic of Niger on Wednesday.
Motif Bio allowed two method-of-use patents in US
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Motif Bio received a ‘Notice of Allowance’ from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for patent applications 15/586,021 and 15/586,815, it announced on Wednesday.
Glencore lifts interim profits but not buyback
Glencore said it would focus on cutting debt and sustaining shareholder returns as volatile conditions continue from a half-year where the mining and commodities trading giant was beset by several lawsuits and an ongoing investigation by US authorities.
Coral Products welcomes further fulfilment tote orders
Plastic products designer and manufacturer Coral Products announced that the Haydock Mouldings division had received further orders in relation to the supply contract for totes for an unnamed customer's UK fulfilment centres.
Omagh plant now operating on Kearney feed, says Galantas
Galantas Gold Corporation reported on Wednesday that the Omagh gold-mine processing plant had commenced operating on feed from underground development of the Kearney gold vein.
Two Shields takes Cobalt Blue holding to 49pc
Investment company Two Shields Investments announced on Wednesday that, following the acquisition on 7 August of an additional 24% share capital interest to add to its 25% share capital holding acquired in November last year, it now owns 49% of the share capital of Cobalt Blue Holdings.
PageGroup brushes off Brexit woes and lavishes shareholders
Recruitment firm PageGroup swatted aside Brexit worries and lavished the cash on shareholders on Wednesday, lifting its interim dividend by 5% and coughing up its fourth consecutive special payout.
Michael Kors ups EPS outlook as Jimmy Choo boosts first-quarter revenue
Michael Kors looked set to rack up solid gains at the open on Wednesday after the luxury fashion brand posted a jump in first-quarter revenue and upped its full-year earnings per share outlook.
Ofgem reduces and rejects raft of network funding applications
Ofgem responded to a number of funding requests on Wednesday, saying it will allow network companies to recover an additional £90m, including funding, to tackle cyber and physical security threats, but was set to refuse National Grid’s requests to recover around £263m from consumers for replacing a pipeline and maintaining gas compressors.
Crafty Fox fine-tunes offer for Sky, but leaves clues
Overnight, 21st Century Fox published an offer for Sky priced at £14 per share overnight, short of a rival bid from Comcast at £14. 75 per share.
Prudential's M&G plans 'progressing' as growth driven by Asia
Prudential said the planned split of its UK from its Asian and US businesses was "progressing well" in a half-year that saw profits hit by currency swings but still beat expectations thanks to one-offs.
EU Supply first-half revenue and costs rise as expected
E-procurement software provider EU Supply said on Wednesday revenue and costs for the first half of this year increased in line with its expectations.
Centrica hikes tariffs for British Gas variable tariff customers again
Centrica was the source of more misery for British Gas customers not on a fixed tariff on Wednesday, confirming that its Standard Variable Tariff was to increase yet again due to what it described as rising wholesale costs.