Company News
Action Hotels losses swell on cancelled Saudi projects
Action Hotels warned that losses with be larger than expected after it cancelled one and delayed another hotel in Saudi Arabia.
Premier Oil achieves record production in 2017
Premier Oil said on Thursday that it achieved its best ever year of production in 2017 as revenue and cash flows rose, although it posted a loss after tax.
US health insurer Cigna to buy Express Scripts in $67bn deal
US health insurer Cigna Corporation has agreed to buy pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts in a cash and stock deal valued at around $67bn, which includes the assumption of approximately $15bn in Express debt.
Aviva ups growth targets after completing simplification process
Life insurer Aviva grew earnings per share 7% and the dividend 18% for 2017 and has upgraded its growth targets for 2018 and beyond, though a slip in Canada and perhaps the shape of capital returns were a disappointment to some investors.
Alliance Trust hails new approach as returns outperform market
Alliance Trust said its new investment approach was paying off as it posted annual returns that outperformed the market.
Cadence Minerals investee finds lithium indicators at Nevada site
Cadence Minerals announced on Thursday that its investee company Macarthur Minerals has identified indications of a lithium brine aquifer at its project in Railroad Valley, Nevada.
Communisis profits boosted by long-term contract signings
Integrated marketing services company Communisis saw pre-tax profits grow just shy of a quarter in its most recent trading year, as the Leeds-based group renewed its marketing communication and transactional mailing based contract for British TV licences.
Share PLC jumps 10% as company hails 'excellent' 2017
Share account administration company Share PLC’s share prices jumped over 10% on Thursday after it reported a 28% increase in revenues to £18. 7m for 2017.
Countrywide craters as it swings to a loss, scraps divi and warns on 2018
Shares in estate agency Countrywide tumbled on Thursday as it said it swung to a loss in 2017, scrapped its dividend and sounded a cautious note on its outlook.
John Lewis profit drops 77% amid subdued consumer demand, margin pressure
Department store chain John Lewis cut its staff bonus to the lowest level in 64 years as annual profits slumped amid subdued demand and margin pressure.
Amur Minerals hits the ignition on Kun-Manie access road project
Exploration and resource development company Amur Minerals said on Thursday that it will take the inaugural step in the design of an access road to its Kun-Manie project in Russia.
Spirent announces special dividend after improving profits
IT firm Spirent Communications chose to reward shareholders with a special dividend on Thursday after the West Sussex-based group saw profits grow 27% in its most recent fiscal year.
Safestay acquires Barcelona asset from Equity Point
Hostel group Safestay has acquired another Barcelona property from Equity Point Hostels, taking its total presence in the city up to nearly 600 beds.
Frontier Smart Technologies shares tumble despite narrowing losses
Digital radio technology company Frontier Smart Technologies stumbled on Thursday after the firm revealed that while pre-tax losses had contracted, it had still been unable to turn a profit in its most recent fiscal year.
Stobart reports good progress in 2017
Stobart Group said it made good progress in 2017 as passenger numbers rose strongly at its London Southend Airport site.
N4 Pharma ramps up Nuvec work programme
Specialist pharmaceutical company N4 Pharma provided an update on its Nuvec drug delivery programme, while it awaits pilot human trials for its reformulation of sildenafil, the drug better known as Viagra.
Next faces £30m equal pay claim from shop-floor workers
More than 300 Next employees are claiming up to £30m in total in back pay from the clothing retail over the thousands of female staff they say are paid less than male counterparts.
GlaxoSmithKline's Relvar Ellipta gets updated label in EU
GlaxoSmithKline and its partner Innoviva announced on Thursday that the European Commission has approved a label update for the use of once-daily Relvar Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol, FF/VI).
Greencoat UK Wind buys Brockaghboy wind farm in NI
Greencoat UK Wind has acquired the Brockaghboy wind farm from ERG Power Generation for a total consideration of approximately £163m, it announced on Thursday.
Randgold says DRC's Kabila gave assurances on mining code
Randgold Resources said the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has assured mining companies that questions about their operations under the country's new mining code would be resolved, but only after the new law had been signed off.