Latest News
Kier showing 'multiple possible red flags', JPMorgan downgrades
Kier Group’s poor cash flow track record "somewhat reduces" JPMorgan Cazenove's confidence in medium-term guidance from the construction group, leading analysts to downgrade their stance on the shares.
Cannacord Genuity hails McCarthy&Stone's focus on returns, product appeal
Analysts at Cannacord Genuity hiked their target price on shares of McCarthy&Stone, hailing the company's decision to shift its focus from growth to maximising returns and ongoing efforts to adjust its product offering.
OptiBiotix enters three-year distribution deal with Bulgarian partner
Life sciences business OptiBiotix Health has entered into a three-year distribution agreement with an unnamed Bulgarian company to exclusively distribute and commercialise its own-label ‘CholBiome’ products, containing its cholesterol and blood pressure reducing ‘LPLDL’ strain in Bulgaria, it announced on Wednesday.
Net assets rise comfortably at Town Centre Securities
Property investment, development and car parking company Town Centre Securities announced its audited final results for the year ended 30 June on Wednesday, reporting a 6. 8% improvement in EPRA net assets per share to 384p.
James Halstead lays down record set of results
Commercial flooring company James Halstead reported record turnover and profits and a record dividend in its preliminary results for the year ended 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue rising 3. 6% to £249. 5m.
Europe midday: Budget battles in focus across the Continent
The focus in Europe continues to be on the running budget battles across the Continent, with the spotlight on Wednesday squarely on Italy, as investors wait for the US central bank's policy announcement scheduled for later in the day.
Mitie eyes flat profits as it sticks to long-term knitting
Outsourcing provider Mitie Group saw its shares drop on Wednesday after the company said it still expected first half operating profits to be “flat to slightly down”.
Crawshaw wields the cleaver after losses grow
Fresh meat and food-to-go retailer Crawshaw Group saw its shares rise on Wednesday as it announced action to reinvigorate the chain after a “disappointing” first half amid tough high street conditions.
Helical makes 'good progress' as focus switches to Bart's Square asset
Helical told investors on Wednesday that it had made good progress on its current development pipeline, completing the second and final phase at The Bower, before switching focus to its One Bartholomew project.
Grafenia makes amendment to terms of Image Everything acquisition
Grafenia has agreed on a variation to the terms of its acquisition of Image Everything in order to incentivise the target's vendors to remain with the group for a longer period.
Brexit border delays could lead to wave of bankruptcies
Even just half-hour delays at UK ports and the Irish border post-Brexit could lead to a wave of British firms going bankrupt, new research warned on Wednesday.
London midday: Blue chips pick up as sterling softens
London's blue chip stocks climbed out of their early stupor by midday on Wednesday, but remained relatively flat as sterling and oil prices softened and many traders sat on their hands ahead of the Federal Reserve rates announcement later.
UK newspaper industry calls for tech giant levy to fund journalism
The UK newspaper industry has called for tech giants to pay a licence fee to ensure that news media publishers are properly rewarded for their use of their content by companies such as Facebook or Google.
Retail activity falls less than feared - CBI
Retail activity among larger high street operators weakened less than expected this month, according to the latest industry survey by the CBI.
Loopup's revenues dialed up after MeetingZone acquisition
LoopUp Group reported a jump in first-half revenue on Wednesday after the company scaled up its operations with the £61. 4m acquisition of MeetingZone.
Theresa May: General election not in the UK's best interest
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out a general election before the Brexit date in March 2019 saying it’s not in “the national interest”.
Pothole epidemic puts the skids under AA profits
A “pothole epidemic” during Britain's severe winter weather sent half-year profits at roadside repairer the AA crashing 65% lower to £28m.
SSP says FY to be in line as airport traffic grows
Travel restaurant operator SSP Group said full-year sales growth expectations remained unchanged after a steady final quarter, driven by increased passenger numbers at airports.
Europe open: Stocks edge higher despite political headwinds
European stocks are trading on a mixed note ahead of the US central bank's policy announcement scheduled for later in the day, with investors seemingly looking past news of the unexpected ouster of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel's, deputy.