Company News
Higher US defence spending a boost for Ultra Electronics
Defence contractor Ultra Electronics on Thursday said it had “significant exposure” to a strengthening US defence budget, adding that it expected modest progress in underlying revenue and operating profit for 2018.
Tesco's festive sales fall shy of City forecasts
Tesco reported fairly strong sales growth in the run-up to and including Christmas, though still fell slightly short of City forecasts.
Hays Q2 net fees jump 13% on strong international performance
FTSE 250 recruiter Hays posted a jump in second-quarter net fees on Thursday on the back of growth in its international businesses.
Booker Q3 sales rise 3.4%; sees Tesco merger vote in Feb
Third quarter sales at UK food wholesaler Booker rose 3. 4%, with like-for-likes up 3. 8%, the company said on Thursday.
Marks & Spencer's disappointing food sales sour Christmas trading
Marks & Spencer reported disappointing sales over the festive period, with UK like-for-like sales down 1. 4%.
Bunzl in double buy, to sell French unit OPM
International distributor Bunzl on Thursday said it had bought two businesses in the US and the UK and was planning to sell one in France.
Weir says effective tax rate to be around 25% after US reforms, effect on group broadly neutral
FTSE 250 engineer Weir said on Thursday that US tax reforms, which cut the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%, are likely to give rise to an initial one-off non-cash tax credit in 2017 resulting from the revaluation of the group's aggregate US deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.
DCC buys Countrywide LPG unit for £28.75m
International sales, marketing and support services group DCC said it was buying Countrywide Farmers' LPG distribution business for £28. 75m in cash.
Barratt set for 'modest' growth in full year completions
House builder Barratt said it was well positioned for the second half after reporting first half forward plot sales up 3. 8% at 10,921 plots at a value of £2. 38bn, but added that it expected to see "modest" growth in full year completions.