News And Announcements
Pennant provisionally selected for £25-30m training programme
Training and support solutions provider Pennant International has been provisionally selected on a major programme for an unnamed customer.
Mattioli Woods buys Broughtons for up to £4m
Wealth management and employee benefits business Mattioli Woods has announced the acquisition of wealth management advice and administration group Broughtons for up to £4m.
Tritax Big Box operating profit rises, on track to meet divi target
Tritax Big Box REIT posted a jump in interim operating profit on Thursday as it said it was on track to meet its dividend target for the year.
Ligand Pharma to buy Vernalis for just under £33m in cash
AIM-listed Vernalis has agreed to be bought by Ligand UK, a subsidiary of California-based Ligand Pharmaceuticals, for 6. 2p per share in cash, valuing the company at around £32. 67m.
Physiomics wins small contract with European biotech client
Cancer treatment prediction technology developer Physiomics has been awarded a contract by a new European biotech client, it announced on Thursday.
Seeing Machines teams up with airlines to improve pilot training
Seeing Machines announced on Thursday that itself and Emirates Airline, Qantas Airways and FedEx Express, have arranged and completed a workshop aimed at improving the training of pilots in the aviation industry.
Mkango makes good progress with drilling at Songwe
Mkango Resources updated the market on its major diamond drilling programme underway at the Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project in Malawi on Thursday, which is a “key component” of the feasibility study for Songwe, fully funded by Noble Group subsidiary Talaxis.
PureTech Health affiliate Akili raises $13m in Series C extension
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company PureTech Health announced on Thursday that its independent affiliate, Akili, has raised $13m in new funding as an extension of its recent Series C financing.
RockRose Energy buying 20pc stake Arran field development
Independent oil and gas company RockRose Energy has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 20. 43% interest in blocks 23/11a, 23/16b and 23/16c, it announced on Thursday, which contain the Arran field in the UK Central North Sea, from Dana Petroleum for a nominal consideration.
Rite Aid set for losses as Alberstons deal called off
Rite Aid looked set for heavy losses at the open on Thursday as it mutually agreed with Alberstons Companies to terminate a previously announced merger after Rite Air shareholders said the deal, which would have created a new company with around $83bn in annual sales, undervalued the group.
Ibstock ups dividend after weathering H1 storm
Ibstock on Thursday that its first half performance was boosted by activity in the new build housing sector but offset by the poor weather in the early spring period.
Ferrexpo doubles credit facility to $400m and extends for another year
Ferrexpo on Thursday increased its 2017 pre-export finance credit facility from $195m to $400m and extended the tenor from three to four years.
Syncona pleased with portfolio performance in latest quarter
Healthcare company Syncona issued its quarterly update for the three months to 30 June on Thursday, reporting an increase in net assets increased to £1. 28bn, or 193. 1p per share, for a total return of 23%.
AA stays on course for full year destination
The AA said it remained on course to reach its full year profits and cash flow targets despite the extreme weather obstacles in the first half.
G4S maintains first-half earnings amid 'step change' in revenue growth
G4S issued its results for the six months ended 30 June on Thursday, reporting a “step change” in revenue growth in the second quarter, with new contract wins during the half having an annual contract value of £0. 7bn.
Evraz pays out second interim dividend as cash surges
Russian steel producer Evraz declared a second interim dividend after a half-year where earnings and free cash flow surged, though the results arrived morning after the US declared new sanctions on Russia.
Derwent London rental income, earnings rise amid 'robust' demand
Property investment and development company Derwent London reported a rise in interim net rental income and EPRA earnings on Thursday as it hiked its dividend by 10% and highlighted "robust" occupier demand in the capital.
BTG's emphysema treatment struck down by FDA
Global specialist healthcare company BTG on Thursday received confirmation from the US food and drug administration (FDA) that its emphysema treatment will not receive pre-market approval.
BHP Billiton pays $50m in dam disaster settlement
BHP Billiton on Thursday agreed to pay $50m to a group of shareholders in order to settle a US class action lawsuit related to the 2015 Samarco dam disaster.
Regal acquisition boosts Cineworld interims
Cineworld surged on Thursday as it reported a jump in interim profit, boosted by its recent acquisition of Regal Entertainment.