Market Report
Lighthouse Group sees FY earnings, revenue and pre-tax profit ahead of views
AIM-listed Lighthouse Group said on Friday that it expects to report full-year revenue, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and pre-tax profit ahead of market views.
GKN rejects Melrose offer, appoints new CEO and announces restructure
Shares in GKN surged on Friday after the company said it has rejected a bid proposal from Melrose and appointed Anne Stevens as chief executive, as it announced plans to separate its aerospace and automotive businesses.
Uber used secret system to lock down computers in police raids
Former Uber employees have confirmed the company routinely used a software system called Ripley to lock computers from tax investigators between 2015 and 2016.
XP Power closes out trading year with strong fourth quarter
Critical power control components developer and manufacturer XP Power had a "good finish" to its trading year ended 31 December, as strong order intake drove robust revenue growth.
Armadale Capital offloads Cono gold project to Radismore
African-focussed natural resource investor Armadale Capital has agreed to sell its interest in the Mpokoto gold project in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a total of $0. 56m and a 1. 5% royalty on all gold produced.
US pre-open: Stocks to rise as earnings flow in; retail sales and inflation eyed
US futures pointed to a firmer open on Wall Street on Friday, with investors sifting through earnings from the likes of BlackRock and JPMorgan ahead of retail sales and inflation data.
Avocet Mining defers sale of Burkino Faso assets
Embattled gold explorer Avocet Mining has been forced to delay the sale of its Burkina Faso assets, including the Inata goldmine, on the request of the buyer, Ghana's Balaji Group.
London midday: FTSE hits fresh high as GKN surges on Melrose offer
London stocks had edged a little further into the green by midday on Friday, with the top-flight index hitting a record intraday high as engineering group GKN surged after rejecting an offer from Melrose in favour of carrying out a restructure.
FCA's binary blacklist of almost 100 firms offering unauthorised options trading
The UK financial regulator has published a list of 94 firms illegally offering binary options trading to British investors, many of which are suspected of hiding the fact that they are based overseas.
Howden Joinery confirms new CEO's start date
Howden Joinery Group has confirmed that chief executive designate Andrew Livingston will join on 29 January, as founder and current CEO Matthew Ingle retires.
FFI Holdings buys motorsports entertainment insurance book from All Risks
AIM-listed FFI Holdings has acquired the motorsports entertainment insurance book of business from All Risks, the largest US independent wholesale brokerage, through its subsidiary Reel Media.
President Energy completes Argentinian workovers ahead of target
AIM-listed oil and gas group President Energy wrapped up its third and fourth workover wells at the recently acquired Puesto Flores Field in Argentina, completing the project on time and under budget.
WPP buys London-based growth consultancy Mash
WPP said on Friday that Kantar Consulting, which is part of its data investment management division, has bought London-based strategy and growth consultancy Mash for an undisclosed sum.
London open: Stocks nudge higher after record close; GKN surges after bid
London stocks nudged higher in early trade on Friday following another record close the day before, with engineering group GKN leading the charge.
Discounter B&M grows sales 22% over festive period
Discount retailer B&M European Value reported a strong quarter of growth in the pre-Christmas period, helped by 22 new store openings and keeping prices low in the UK and Germany via its far-eastern supply chain.
Bovis Homes repairs reputation and balance sheet after faulty homes scandal
Bovis Homes built a lower number of homes in 2017 but reported much improvement in its balance sheet and in customer satisfaction after the controversy over putting customers in faulty homes last year.
Bovis reports improved balance sheet, Mitchells 'strong' sales
London open The FTSE 100 was expected to put on 11 points on Friday, having finished at 7,762. 94 the session before.
London pre-open: Stocks to nudge higher after another record close
London stocks were set to nudge a touch higher at the open on Friday following another record close the previous day, underpinned by a positive session on Wall Street.
Friday newspaper round-up: Dominic Chappell, Carillion, New Look
The former owner of BHS, Dominic Chappell, has been found guilty of three charges of failing to provide vital documents to the pensions watchdog. Chappell, 51, was charged with neglecting or refusing to respond to three section 72 notices demanding he hand over vital documents and information relating to the purchase of the company. – Guardian.