Company News
Saudi Aramco IPO looks more likely as change in legal status paves the way for flotation
Saudi Aramco, the Dhahran-based petroleum and natural gas company which had recently been forced to deny plans that it was abandoning its $2tn flotation of 5% of the company, received a shot in the arm on Friday after a royal decree converted the firm into a joint stock company, allowing it to expand its shareholder base beyond the Saudi Arabian government.
Cabot Energy reports higher than expected production rates from 10-32 sidetrack well
AIM-quoted oil and gas company Cabot Energy provided an update on drilling and flow tests at its 10-32 sidetrack well in the Rainbow area in Canada on Friday after that start of its drill programme in December, which ran longer than expected.
Boardriders acquires Billabong in $155m takeover bid
Iconic Australian surfwear brand Billabong was sold to rival Boardriders on Friday as part of an estimated $155m takeover bid aimed at turning around the Queensland-based group after turning a profit in just one of the last five years.
Rhythm One tenders off for outstanding YuMe shares
Online advertising firm RhythmOne presented an exchange offer to YuMe shareholders on Thursday to purchase the outstanding shares of the digital video brand, pursuant to the companies' previously announced merger agreement.
Christmas high street sales fall for fifth year in a row - BDO
High street sales in December were lower than the previous year, with clothing and footwear suffering the most.
Premier African Mining returns insufficient ore grades for planned profitability
Premier African Minerals announced on Friday that although throughput at its RHA Tungsten plant during the latter part of December had exceeded its target of 6,000 tonnes in aggregate ore feed, the ore processed had predominantly been from on-strike development at a diluted grade and insufficient to achieve planned profitable production.
easyJet December passenger numbers soar by 5.5%
Budget airline easyJet reported a 5. 5% year-on-year increase in passengers for December to 5. 88m. The load factor was up to 91. 4% from 89. 9%.
Regal Petroleum gushes as production rates soar
Oil and gas producer Regal Petroleum saw the aggregate rate of production at its three Ukrainian fields jump almost 65% over the 2017 calendar year.
Mporium finalises commercial services agreement with GroupM UK
Mobile technology firm mporium has inked a commercial agreement with British media investment management company GroupM UK to deliver its Impact technology services to a number of the latter's agencies.
Atlantis Resources offloads Canadian joint-venture to partner
AIM-listed tidal power group Atlantis Resources has agreed to sell its stake in its Canadian joint venture in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia to its partner DP Energy.
Crawshaw sales given boost by strong festive showing
Meat-focused retail store business Crawshaw Group saw continued, albeit slight, progress towards the group's strategy of strengthening its position as the UK's "leading value butcher" over the 15 week period leading to 24 December.
Cairn Homes FY revenues jump amid positive market conditions
Irish housebuilder Cairn Homes reported a big jump in full-year revenues on Friday amid positive market conditions.
Keller to benefit from US tax changes, in talks over US acquisition
Geotechnical solutions specialist Keller announced on Friday that it is in talks to buy US-based geotechnical contracting company Moretrench, as it said US tax changes will benefit its future after tax earnings.
Ultra Electronics hit by report of UK defence review delay
Shares in UK defence company Ultra Electronics slumped on Friday following a report that the UK defence review has been delayed.
Wressle wrestle continues as planning inspectors reject Egdon's appeal
UK oil explorer Egdon Resources' appeal over two refused planning applications to develop the Wressle oil discovery has been rejected by planning inspectors, also hitting fellow AIM-listed backers of the project, Europa Oil & Gas, Union Jack Oil and Upland Resources.
Clarkson expects full year results in line with expectations
Shipping broker Clarkson said it expected full year results for 2017 to be in line with current expectations.
Johnson Service sees FY ahead of management's views, buys StarCounty for £3.9m
AIM-listed textile rental provider Johnson Service said on Friday that it results for the full financial year are expected to be slightly ahead of management expectations, as it announced the acquisition of laundry services provider StarCounty Textile.
Shop prices dragged down by non-food cuts - BRC-Nielsen
Shop prices in the run up to Christmas fell at their steepest rate in eight months, led entirely by price cuts by non-food retailers as food prices continued to rise.