News And Announcements
FOBT stake cut moved back to April after government U-turn
The government announced on Wednesday it was making a U-turn and the implementation of changes to reduce the stakes of fixed-odds betting machines will be brought forward to next April, instead of October as had been planned.
DS Smith gets EU clearance for Europac acquisition
The European Commission has cleared packaging group DS Smith's proposed acquisition of Spanish rival Europac, which was announced back in June.
Hermes selects IMImobile technology for new parcel notifications strategy
Cloud communications software and solutions provider IMImobile announced on Wednesday that it has been chosen by parcel delivery firm Hermes, for the implementation of its new parcel notifications strategy as part of its ‘Digital Futures’ programme.
Maestrano confirms launch of 'potentially transformational' platform in US
Open cloud business integration platform provider Maestrano Group has now successfully gone live with a platform for an unnamed major US-based banking customer, it announced on Wednesday.
Plant Health Care enjoying success in Brazil with 'H2Copla'
Agricultural biological products provider Plant Health Care updated the market on the launch of ‘H2Copla’ (Harpin ab) in sugarcane in Brazil on Wednesday, reporting that it has now been applied on around 20,000 hectares of sugarcane since its 'soft launch' in February.
Lighthouse Group enters strategic relationship with Tavistock Investments
Financial advisory provider Lighthouse Group has entered into a strategic relationship with Tavistock Investments, it announced on Wednesday.
Totally manages 'good' rating across its Staffordshire NHS services
Out-of-hospital service provider Totally announced on Wednesday that its Royal Stoke Urgent Care Centre, part of the Vocare group, was recently rated as 'good' overall following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
Cambridge Cognition wins 'significant' new clinical trial contract
Neuroscience technology company Cambridge Cognition Holdings has won a “significant” new clinical trial contract, it announced on Wednesday, which it said was the largest in a series of recently-signed electronic clinical outcomes assessment (eCOA) trials.
Pearson sells off FT headquarters
Pearson has agreed to sell the Financial Times' headquarters on the banks of the Thames to investor M&G for £115m.
Flybe puts itself up for sale as H1 profits slump
Budget airline Flybe said on Wednesday that it's putting itself up for sale as it posted a slump in first-half profits.
African Battery upbeat on Cameroon, disappointed in the Congo
Exploration company African Battery Metals updated the market on its exploration activities in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, reporting that it had now started exploration work on the licences in Cameroon, which were acquired as part of the purchase of Cobalt Blue Holdings.
Wilmington enters new Singapore insurance tech joint venture
Information, education and networking services provider Wilmington announced on Wednesday that Axco, its insurance information subsidiary, has entered into a 50-50 joint venture agreement with The Digital Insurer in Singapore.
Intervest announces massive capital increase to reach 2018 investment goals
Intervest Offices & Warehouses announced a capital increase on Wednesday, in a bid to continue its growth strategy both in the office portfolio and in logistics real estate, while maintaining the debt ratio between 45% and 50%.
Overseas markets lead growth at JPJ Group
Online bingo-led gaming operator JPJ Group issued its third quarter results on Wednesday, reporting an 8% improvement in gaming revenue to £77. 8m and a swing to IFRS net income from continuing operations of £7. 4m, from a loss of £8. 2m last year.
Redx Pharma announces nomination of first fibrosis treatment candidate
Drug discovery and development company Redx Pharma announced the nomination of its first development compound to treat fibrosis on Wednesday.
SSE posts 41% drop in interim profit; to create new renewable energy business
Energy group SSE posted a drop in interim profit on Wednesday as it announced the creation of a renewable energy business.
Speedy Hire profits rise as SME customers grow
Tools, equipment and plant hire services company Speedy Hire posted a surge in first-half profit on Wednesday amid strong growth in its SME customer numbers and revenues.
Grainger sees strong growth as demand for housing continues to climb
Residential property business Grainger reported a set of “strong” full-year results on Wednesday, with its adjusted earnings rising 26% to £94. 0m.
Grainger to buy out GRIP portfolio via massive rights issue
Private rented sector landlord Grainger has conditionally agreed to acquire the entire share capital and shareholder loans in GRIP REIT from its joint venture partner APG, it announced on Wednesday, for £396m.
British Land holds up as retail falls but London offices firm
A decline in retail property values hit British Land in the first half of the year, but the offices and shopping centre developer reported flat earnings as it grew rents and bought back shares.