News And Announcements
Diageo reports strong start to the year
Diageo said it made a strong start to the financial year with sales rising in all regions despite supply chain problems.
Virgin Money to shut branches in digital push
Virgin Money said it would close almost one-fifth of its branches and cut office space as customers increasingly move online during the pandemic.
Softline plans London IPO to raise $400m
Softline, a digital transformation company, is planning an initial public offering to raise $400m for expansion and acquisitions.
H&M reinstates dividend as sales recovery continues
Hennes & Mauritz is to reinstate its dividend, the fashion retailer said on Thursday, as sales and profits continued to improve from the worst of the pandemic.
Evergrande misses offshore bond payment - report
Embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande has missed a crucial bond interest payment, according to reports.
HICL appoints Mike Bane as chair
Infrastructure firm HICL on Thursday said current non-executive director Mike Bane had been selected as chair, succeeding Ian Russell from July 31 2022.
Confidence in UK economy slumps as costs rise - IoD
Company directors’ confidence in the UK economy has plummeted, according to a survey published on Friday, as costs continue to mount.
Redcentric acquiring Piksel IS in $13m deal
Managed IT services company Redcentric announced the acquisition of Piksel Industry Solutions on Thursday, for $13m (£9. 5m).
SkinBioTherapeutics confirms launch plans for psoriasis supplement
Skin health-focussed life science company SkinBioTherapeutics updated the market on its commercialisation plans for ‘AxisBiotix-Ps’ on Thursday, which it described as its probiotic food supplement to help alleviate the symptoms associated with psoriasis.
Bed Bath & Beyond tanks as it cuts FY sales, earnings outlook
Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond tanked on Thursday after the US retailer downgraded its full-year earnings and sales outlook and reported weaker-than-expected second-quarter sales.
Anexo expands debt facilities with its two main lenders
Integrated credit hire and legal services provider Anexo Group announced increased debt facilities following discussions with its two major lenders on Thursday, to fund growth in its credit hire and legal services divisions.
DMGT takeover deadline extended
Lord Rothermere has been given until the end of October to make a £810m bid for the Daily Mail and General Trust after the Takeover Panel agreed a second extension.
Merck to buy Acceleron Pharma in $11.5bn deal
Merck has agreed to buy biopharmaceutical group Acceleron Pharma in a $11. 5bn deal.
Public sector contractor Made Tech raises £85.4m on AIM admission
Public sector digital, data and technology service provider Made Tech Group announced the admission of its shares to trading on AIM on Thursday, raising £85. 4m through its placing.
Ofgem puts advisers on standby in case of large energy firm collapse
Ofgem has enlisted the expertise of a City advisory firm, it emerged on Thursday, to be on standby should the retail energy crisis worsen.
Quantum Blockchain files for 'breakthrough' Bitcoin mining patent
Quantum Blockchain Technologies announced on Thursday that, as an initial result of its new Bitcoin mining research and development strategy and following the work of its cryptography expert, it has filed an application for its first patent, the ‘ASIC UltraBoost’.
Shares soar as Oxford Nanopore makes its London debut
Shares in Oxford Nanopore Technologies surged on Thursday after the British biotech made its £3. 4bn debut on the London Stock Exchange.
Revenue and other income rockets in first half for Ceres Power
Ceres Power reported 96% growth in revenue and other income in its first half on Thursday, to £17. 4m, which it put down to strong progress in commercial partnerships.
Creo Medical losses widen slightly as products progress
Surgical endoscopy technology company Creo Medical reported total first-half sales of £12. 9m on Thursday, up from nil sales year-on-year.
Novacyt launches new 'Winterplex' test, lateral flow tests delayed
Clinical diagnostics specialist Novacyt issued a research and development update on Thursday, including the launch of a new CE-marked ‘Winterplex’ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to diagnose Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and types of influenza.