News And Announcements
Renalytix AI begins clinical validation study for 'KidneyIntelX'
Artificial intelligence-enabled kidney disease diagnostics developer Renalytix AI announced the start of its clinical validation study for its lead diagnostic, ‘KidneyIntelX’, on Wednesday.
Acquisition strategy a winner for Rotala
Rotala updated the market on its trading for the year ended 30 November on Wednesday, reporting that the 2018 financial year was in line with market expectations.
Burberry's festive growth cools but 'brand heat' grows
Burberry sales disappointed slightly over the festive quarter but the fashion house maintained that it was successfully building "brand heat" ahead of the launch next month of its new creative director's debut collection.
Botswana Diamonds raises fresh £0.37m in placing
Botswana Diamonds announced on Wednesday that it has undertaken a placing with existing and new investors to raise £0. 37m via the issue of 67,272,727 new ordinary shares at a price of 0. 55p each.
StatPro focus on recurring revenue paying off
Cloud-based portfolio analysis and asset pricing service provider StatPro Group updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that group revenue was expected to be about £54. 7m, up from £49. 3m year-on-year.
Analyst recommendations fail to beat the market
The ten blue-chip stocks most regularly backed by analysts with ‘buy’ recommendations lost more than the FTSE 100 index in 2018, fresh analysis showed on Wednesday.
United Technologies sees profits taking-off in 2019
United Technologies shrugged off concerns about the strength of the dollar to forecast solid profit growth for 2019 as it posted above-estimate fourth-quarter numbers.
AJ Bell customers numbers grow but markets hit AUM
Investment platform AJ Bell reported a respectable start to trading as a listed company, with 4% growth in customer numbers and positive net flows.
RPC finally receives offer from Apollo
After at least four months of talks, RPC Group has finally received a take-private offer from US private equity group Apollo, valuing the plastics manufacturer at £3. 3m.
G4S to pay up to $130m to settle US class action
Shares in security services firm G4S were under pressure on Wednesday after it said late the previous day that it has agreed to pay up to $130m to settle a class action in the US.
Santander to close 140 branches and risk 1,200 layoffs
Spanish bank Santander said it was cutting around 140 branches which would put 1,270 jobs at risk.
IBM cheers market as results narrowly beat expectations
Shares in IBM jumped in pre-market trading on Wednesday after the US firm beat quarterly earnings estimates.
Brewin Dolphin Q1 funds drop amid falling markets
Wealth manager Brewin Dolphin reported a drop in total first-quarter funds on Wednesday as markets fell and client activity slowed.
VR Education steps up marketing game after release of 'Titanic VR'
Education-focussed virtual reality technology company VR Education updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that revenue was expected to be around €0. 7m following the release of the ‘Titanic VR’ title on the Sony PlayStation platform on 22 November.
Hotel Chocolat hails solid festive performance
Hotel Chocolat hailed a solid performance over the festive period on Wednesday as it benefited from the opening of new stores.
Eight Peaks takes interest in cybersecurity platform through SOARX investment
Eight Peaks Group has acquired a 25% stake in a software development, integration and distribution company that operates in the cybersecurity space - SOARX - for £0. 13m in cash, it announced on Wednesday.
Metro Bank shares plunge as growth slows
Metro Bank shares were falling through the floor in early trading on Wednesday, after the company reported underlying profit before tax of £50m for 2018 in a trading update.
Young's adds 15 pubs with Redcomb acquisition
Young & Co. ’s Brewery announced the acquisition of Redcomb Pubs - a company that owns and operates 15 pubs in “prime” locations - for £34m on a cash-free and debt-free basis on Wednesday.
Marston's looks to cut debt amid 'uncertain times'
Pubs and beer company Marston’s is scaling back expansion plans as it seeks to shave £200m off its net debt during “increasingly uncertain times”.
Eve Sleep raises £12m to expand beyond the yellow mattress
Mattress firm Eve Sleep announced a conditional placing of 120,317,323 new ordinary shares at a price of 10p each on Wednesday, to raise about £12m before expenses from existing and new investors.