Company News
Whitbread climbs as activist hedge fund buys stake
Shares in Whitbread were lifted on Wednesday after activist hedge fund Sachem Head bought a stake in the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner.
Thursday preview: DS Smith and Clipper Logistics report results
For the UK the financial diary is pretty quiet, with investors able to fully scrutinise new FTSE 100 entrant DS Smith as it publishes half-year results a week after it's promotion to the blue chip index was confirmed.
UK life sciences industry bags first government 'sector deal'
UK life sciences companies have inked a 'sector deal' as part of the government's new industrial strategy, including commitments from GlaxoSmithKline to invest £40m in UK genetic research and from Merck to invest in a major new research facility in London.
Windar receives order for five LiDAR systems
Wind sensor technology group Windar Photonics has received an order for five LiDAR systems from a Chinese original equipment manufacturer for immediate delivery, it announced on Wednesday.
Regency Mines enters MoU with Legacy Hill Resources
Natural resource exploration and development company Regency Mines has entered into a memorandum of understanding with privately-owned mining company Legacy Hill Resources, for co-operation in structuring, financing and owning coal investments in the US, it announced on Wednesday.
Steinhoff shares sink as CEO Jooske leaves amid 'accounting irregularities'
Steinhoff International shares plummeted on Wednesday as its chief executive officer Markus Jooste resigned with immediate effect amid "accounting irregularities", while the release of the company's 2017 numbers has been postponed.
Buy-and-build strategy paying off, says 1pm
Small and medium enterprise finance facility provider 1pm updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, ahead of interim results for the six months to 30 November, which it said would be announced during the week of 15 January.
Gfinity's Elite Series first to include FIFA 18
Esports entertainment group Gfinity announced on Wednesday that its ‘Elite Series’ will become the first esports competition to include the ‘EA Sports FIFA 18’ title in its schedule, when season three of one of the world's premier esports competitions begins in March 2018.
Billing Services Group proposes $5m return to shareholders
Billing Services Group proposed to return up to $5m to shareholders on Wednesday, by way of a tender offer at a price of 4. 25 US cents per share.
Vernalis and Servier meet pre-clinical milestone in third collaboration
Vernalis and Servier announced the achievement of a pre-clinical milestone in their third oncology drug discovery collaboration on Wednesday.
'Minor' fire at Walker Greenbank factory damages printing machine
AIM-listed luxury interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank said its Loughborough wallpaper factory was hit by a 'minor' fire on Tuesday night, damaging one of the printing machines.
AFC Energy places first cathode order with manufacturer
Industrial fuel cell power company AFC Energy updated the market on its progress towards delivery of a commercial alkaline fuel cell system on Wednesday, confirming the first commercial order of cathodes had been placed with Industrie De Nora .
Pantheon Resources contracts Schlumberger for logging at Tyler County
Oil and gas exploration company Pantheon Resources updated the market on logging operations at VOBM#4 on Wednesday.
Maintel issues profit warning as it struggles to recover margin loss
Systems integrator and managed services provider Maintel Holdings updated the market on its trading for the year to 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that its ‘ICON’ cloud services have continued to grow strongly in the second half of 2017, boosted by ongoing investment in the platform.
Hammerson swoops for Intu to create shopping centre giant
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has agreed to buy FTSE 350 rival Intu Properties in a £3. 4bn all-share deal that will create a £21bn portfolio across Europe.
Numis counts profits after becoming London's number-one broker
Full-year profits from Numis Corporation were lifted 18% as the small- and mid-cap stockbroker enjoyed a strong second half and became the number-one firm in London by number of listed clients.
Former AXA subsidiary Bluefin slapped with £4m FCA fine
The Financial Conduct Authority has fined insurance broker Bluefin - a former AXA subsidiary - £4m for misleading customers.
Stagecoach keeps dividend on track, hopeful on UK rail outlook
Stagecoach kept its interim dividend steady as it reporting higher profits and progress in all divisions, but finds itself in the middle of a political dispute over the government's proposed new 'vision' for British railways.
Hochschild Mining to redeem $295m of bonds
Hochschild Mining has kicked off the process to redeem $294. 8m of its outstanding bonds in order to significantly reduce its interest payments.
Mulberry H1 sales flat but losses widen
Sales were flat but losses widened in the first half for luxury handbag brand Mulberry, which said on Wednesday that demand from tourists in London remains strong.