News And Announcements
US housebuilder sentiment falls to 11-month low
Sentiment among US housebuilders deteriorated a touch as expected in August, according to data released on Wednesday.
Cobham says FCA dropping insider dealing investigation
Defence group Cobham said on Wednesday that the Financial Conduct Authority has decided to discontinue its investigation into the company's handling of inside information.
RBS last in UK bank league tables
State-owned Royal Bank of Scotland has come joint bottom of the personal banking customer services league table, along with Clydesdale, according to first time figures released on Wednesday.
Frontier IP's The Vaccine Group gets grant for E.coli vaccine
University intellectual property commercialisation specialist Frontier IP announced on Wednesday that its portfolio company The Vaccine Group (TVG) has been awarded a £50,000 grant from the global Bacterial Vaccine Network, to support development of a vaccine to combat one of the main causes of bovine mastitis, E. coli.
Tern's FundamentalVR launches surgery simulator in US market
Internet of things investment company Tern noted an announcement from its portfolio company FundamentalVR on Wednesday, that it has launched ‘Fundamental Surgery’, a “first-of-its-kind” software-as-a-service platform, in the US.
DeepMatter meets 2018 goal for 'DigitalGlassware' pioneer numbers
Chemistry digitising company DeepMatter has now entered into agreements with a total of five organisations for its ‘DigitalGlassware’ pioneer programme, which represents the minimum that it planned to initiate during 2018, it announced on Wednesday.
NetScientific's Wanda launches 'CareLink' digital health product
Transatlantic healthcare IP commercialisation group NetScientific announced on Wednesday that portfolio company Wanda, which it said uses machine learning to help healthcare providers better manage the risk and care of patients, has launched its new digital health application ‘Wanda CareLink’.
RBS confirms dividend after final agreement on DoJ penalty
Royal Bank of Scotland overnight confirmed the final cash settlement of $4. 9bn (£3. 7bn) had been agreed with the US Department of Justice a penalty for the bank's misselling of residential mortgage-backed securities in the run-up to the financial crisis.
M&S card payments system fails across UK stores
A quarter of Marks & Spencer's 1,035 UK stores were unable to accept card payments after the retailer experienced a "technical glitch".
GPE sells 160 Great Portland Street
Great Portland Estates has sold 160 Great Portland Street, W1 to 139 Westar House Marylebone Limited, part of the Alduwaliya Asset Management group, for £127. 4m.
Admiral pays out bumper dividend as European arm breaks even
Admiral profits zoomed ahead in the first half of the year, as several of the insurer's European businesses broke into profits and its UK motor insurance arm outperformed in a tough market.
Berenberg upgrades Esure, says Bain deal is 'excellent outcome' for shareholders
Berenberg upgraded Esure to 'hold' from 'sell' and lifted the price target to 280p from 230p after the insurer agreed to be bought by Bain Capital for 280p a share in cash.
ECR Minerals reports new enthusiasm for Argentina
Precious metals exploration and development company ECR Minerals updated the market on Wednesday, following the visit by the company to Argentina to discuss the status and plans in respect of its existing interests, and also to consider potential new opportunities in Argentina that may complement existing interests.
Kibo signs MoU to buy 60pc of Mast Energy Developments
Africa focused energy company Kibo Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of a 60% equity interest in Mast Energy Developments (MED) - a private UK-registered company targeting the development and operation of flexible power plants to service the reserve power generation market - it announced on Wednesday.
EVR signs deal to bring more Ally Pally gigs to VR
Virtual reality music content producer EVR Holdings announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Alexandra Palace Trading on Wednesday.
Keras Resources pressing ahead with Nayega sampling programme
Mineral resource company Keras Resources announced a number of appointments to advance the 10,000 tonne bulk sampling metallurgical testwork programme at the Nayega Manganese Project in northern Togo on Wednesday, which it said hosted a current JORC Code mineral resource of 13. 97Mt at 12. 4% manganese.
Premier Veterinary signs major deal with large US vet consolidator
Premier Veterinary Group announced on Wednesday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Premier Vet Alliance US, has signed a contract with an unnamed “major” corporate veterinary consolidator in the United States.
Vast Resources takes indirect stake in Romania's Blueberry Project
Mining company Vast Resources announced the acquisition of an indirect 29. 41% interest in the Blueberry Project, which hosts highly prospective polymetallic mineralisation and is located in the ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ of Western Romania, on Wednesday.
Lookers H1 profits drop on strong comparative but revenue up
Car dealership Lookers posted a drop in first-half pre-tax profit on Wednesday due to a strong comparative period, but revenue rose and the company said results for the year should be in line with market expectations.
Riverstone Energy makes further NAV gains in first half
Riverstone Energy issued its half-year results for the six month period ended 30 June on Wednesday, reporting a closing net asset value of $1. 75bn, and a net asset value per share of $20. 76 or £15. 72.