Full List Of Stories
London close: Benchmark finishes lower as investors pore through data
London’s benchmark closed just below the waterline after a choppy session on Wednesday, amid ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic - particularly in the United States - and as investors eyed the latest readings on the UK's housing and manufacturing sectors.
OptiBiotix inks CholBiome deal with Italy's Actial
Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health announced on Wednesday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, ProBiotix Health, has entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Actial Farmaceutica for the distribution of its ‘CholBiome’ and ‘CholBiome X3’ products, in four new territories in the Asia-Pacific region.
Katoro Gold hopes to progress Blyvoor with site visit
Gold and nickel exploration and development company Katoro Gold updated the market on its Blyvoor joint venture on Wednesday, in respect of the Blyvoor gold tailings project, reporting that the joint venture management and technical team would be conducting an “extensive” site visit on 1 and 2 July.
Liontrust to purchase AXA's Architas UK business
Fund manager Liontrust Asset Management has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with AXA subsidiary Architas, it announced on Wednesday, to purchase the entirety of Architas Multi-Manager (AMML) and Architas Advisory Services (AASL), for a total consideration of up to £75m.
Benchmark sells FishVet division to Zoetis subsidiary
Aquaculture generics, health and nutrition company Benchmark Holdings has completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary FVG, trading as ‘FishVet’, to Pharmaq, part of global animal health company Zoetis.
Ariana to proceed with Turkey disposals
Europe-focussed exploration and development company Ariana Resources reported on Wednesday that Özaltin Holding, through its subsidiary Özaltin Insaat, Ticaret and Sanayi, has formally committed to proceeding with its acquisition of 53% of both the Salinbas Project and the Zenit Madencilik joint venture.
IronRidge Resources acquires entirety of Capri Metals
Africa-focussed minerals exploration company IronRidge Resources has completed the acquisition of all of the share capital of Capri Metals, giving it full ownership of a further, “highly prospective” gold exploration portfolio in Côte d'Ivoire.
Asia report: Markets finish mixed as Tankan survey disappoints
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, as fresh economic data out of China beat expectations, but a survey in Japan showed sentiment among businesses there turning more sour.
Hammerson increases headroom to most sensitive covenant
Hammerson said it was continuing to focus on reinforcing its balance sheet on Wednesday, announcing that it has increased the headroom to its most sensitive covenant, and improved its liquidity position.
Sirius Real Estate has ample headroom as activity picks back up
Germany-focused business park operator Sirius Real Estate said that a €20m (£18. 13m) drawdown on its unsecured Schuldschein loan was due on 3 July, giving it €123m of unrestricted cash and undrawn facilities.
Petropavlovsk makes two more management and board appointments
Petropavlovsk announced the appointment of Dr Pavel Maslovskiy as its chief operating officer, and of Martin Smith as a non-executive director, with immediate effect on Wednesday.
Peter Toth takes new role on Rio Tinto executive
Rio Tinto has added a new role to its executive committee, it announced on Wednesday, with Peter Toth becoming group executive of strategy and development.
Smith & Nephew quarterly revenue slides amid Covid crisis
Smith & Nephew said on Wednesday that it expects a second-quarter underlying revenue decline of around 29%.
First quarter sales rise for Sainsbury's, SSP Group to slash up to 5,000 jobs
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 24 points lower on Wednesday, having closed down 0. 9% at 6,169. 74 on Tuesday.
US close: Stocks finish higher after Powell, Mnuchin testimony
Wall Street stocks closed in positive territory on Tuesday - the final day of trading for June and the second quarter.