Company News
Hargreaves Services reshuffles board, trading remains in line
Durham-based Hargreaves Services said trading was in line with expectations at a group level, while confirming the arrival of a new finance director and departure of a commercial director ahead of its annual shareholder meeting.
Drilling at Metal Tiger's Botswana asset intersects new copper zones
Equity investment group Metal Tiger said on Tuesday that drilling at its joint-venture with MOD Resources in Botswana had intersected multiple new zones containing visible copper mineralisation about 300 metres northeast of the main site.
Electrocomponents fizzes in first half, second likely to be tougher
Electrocomponents expects a 42% increase in profits for the first half after enjoying an acceleration in revenue growth and market share in the second quarter and achieving a "modest increase" in gross margin.
Great Portland Estates makes solid leasing and development progress
Great Portland Estates announced a “busy quarter” of leasing activity on Tuesday, with 28 new leases, rent reviews and renewals completed securing £10. 2m of annual rent, along with “good progress” on delivering its three committed development schemes.
Ryanair traffic up 10% in September despite cancellations
Beleaguered budget airline Ryanair posted a 10% jump in traffic for September on Tuesday as the load factor rose.
Ferguson plumbs cash pile for share buyback as US profits mount
Ferguson, the plumbing and heating group formerly known as Wolseley, has proposed a 10% dividend increase and announced a £500m share buyback, after a year of strong profits growth.
Wizz Air passenger numbers up 26% in September
Central and Eastern Europe-focused low-cost carrier Wizz Air reported a 26% jump in passenger numbers in September, as the load factor ticked higher.
Greggs serves up solid growth as menu focus continues
Bakery chain Greggs reported solid third quarter growth on Tuesday, claiming total sales were up 8. 6% in the 13 weeks to 30 September, compared to 5. 6% growth at the same time last year, while like-for-like sales in company-managed shops improved 5. 0%, up from 2. 8%.
Britvic to close Norwich plant, 242 employees affected
Britvic said on Tuesday that it plans to close its plant in Norwich and transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its manufacturing sites in East London, Leeds and Rugby, in a move that will affect 242 employees.
Coca-Cola HBC's Dimitirs Lois dies, company confirms
Coca‑Cola HBC, one of the Coca-Cola Company’s largest bottling partners, announced on Tuesday that its CEO, Dimitris Lois, died on 2 October.