News And Announcements
Direct Line rejects £3.3bn takeover proposal from Aviva, shares surge
Direct Line surged on Thursday after it rejected a £3. 3bn takeover proposal from Aviva.
UK consumer sentiment remains weak - BRC
UK consumer confidence remained largely unchanged following the Budget, a survey showed on Thursday, weighed down by ongoing concerns about the strength of the economy.
US pending home sales increase 5.4pc in October
US pending home sales increased 5. 4% year-on-year in October, according to the National Association Realtors, the biggest monthly gain since May 2021, following a 2. 6% increase in September.
Botswana Diamonds drilling plans get environmental authorisation
Botswana Diamonds announced on Wednesday that it has received environmental authorisation from Botswana’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism to proceed with drilling two high-priority targets in the Kalahari region.
FCA fines former Wizz Air exec for secret trading
The Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday that it has fined András Sebők, former chief supply chain officer at Wizz Air, for trading company shares when he wasn’t allowed and failing to disclose his trades.
Prospex to start earning from Viura-1B well
European gas and power project investor Prospex Energy announced on Wednesday that production income from the Viura-1B development well was expected to start in early December.
Transense reports strong start to new financial year
Sensing and measurement systems specialist Transense Technologies announced a 48% increase in revenue for the first four months of its financial year in an update on Wednesday.
Just Eat Takeaway to ditch London listing
Just Eat Takeaway said on Wednesday that it plans to ditch its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange after 24 December.
Mitchells & Butlers swings to FY profit, sees 5% cost rise
UK pub and restaurants group Mitchells & Butlers posted better-than-expected annual profits and said like-for-like trading in the first seven weeks of the current fiscal year was up 4%.
Focusrite reports fall in full-year revenue, earnings
Music and audio products company Focusrite reported an 11. 2% decline in full-year revenue on Wednesday, to £158. 5m, driven by weak demand in its content creation segment as the market continued to de-stock following the Covid-19 pandemic.
European Metals confirms site for Cinovec processing plant
European Metals Holdings confirmed on Wednesday that the processing plant for its flagship Cinovec Lithium Project in the Czech Republic would be located at the site of the former Prunéřov 1 Power Station (EPR1).
Air France-KLM said to be in talks to snap up 20pc stake in Air Europa
Airline group Air France-KLM was said to be in talks to acquire a 20% stake in Spanish airline Air Europa, according to El Economista.
Strix shares slide on revised profit outlook
Kettle safety control and water technology specialist Strix Group revised its profit forecast for the year on Wednesday, citing weaker-than-expected consumer demand in key regulated markets and ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
Gateley confident after strong first half
Professional services firm Gateley Holdings reported a strong first-half performance in a trading update on Wednesday, with both revenue and underlying profit before tax rising by about 5%.
BT Group's Marc Allera to step down
Telecommunications giant BT Group revealed on Wednesday that Marc Allera will step down as chief executive of its consumer division.
EasyJet profits soar on holiday demand, smaller winter losses
Low-cost airline easyJet reported a surge in full-year profit and boosted its dividend on strong summer holiday demand and a narrowing of winter losses as it swerved some of the problems faced by its rivals.
Grifols shares drop as buyer Brookfield loses interest - report
Grifols share price dropped by more than a tenth on Wednesday on reports that suitor Brookfield was considering dropping its planned takeover of the Spanish healthcare group.
Faron announces promising MDS trial results
Faron Pharmaceuticals announced promising interim phase two results from its ‘BEXMAB’ trial on Wednesday, targeting relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndrome (r/r MDS) patients.
Motorpoint returns to profit in H1
Vehicle retailer Motorpoint said on Wednesday that it had returned to profit in the six months ended 30 September and issued solid forward guidance.
Nationwide books £2.3bn gain on Virgin Money deal
Nationwide has recorded a bigger-than-expected £2. 3bn gain following its takeover of Virgin Money, the building society confirmed on Wednesday.