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Muir out, Paul Simmons in as Hill & Smith CEO
Infrastructure and galvanising products and services supplier Hill & Smith Holdings announced on Thursday that, as part of a planned succession process, chief executive officer Derek Muir would step down from the board on 31 December, having informed his fellow directors of his intention to retire.
Stelios demands meeting to oust easyJet director
EasyJet's founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has demanded a general meeting to remove a director as the first step in carrying out his threat to pick off board members unless the company cancels a large aircraft order.
William Hill makes CFO and COO appointments
William Hill announced the appointment of Matt Ashley as its chief financial officer designate on Thursday, who would join the company and be appointed as an executive director to the board on 6 April.
LondonMetric 2020 earnings seen in line with expectations
Property company LondonMetric said on Thursday that its 2020 EPRA earnings are set to be in line with expectations and the third-quarter dividend will be paid as planned, adding that it was still too early to assess the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Centamin ropes in Martin Horgan as its new CEO
Centamin announced the appointment of Martin Horgan as its chief executive officer and as a director on Thursday, effective from 6 April.
Bakkavor pullls guidance, suspends dividend amid Covid-19 outbreak
Fresh foods provider Bakkavor withdrew its 2020 guidance and scrapped its final dividend on Thursday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
National Grid leaves dividend question open at year-end
National Grid said on Thursday that its financial performance for the year ended 31 March, before any Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic impacts, was expected to be in line with prior guidance.
Safestore says it will pay final dividend as stores remain open
Self-storage company Safestore said on Thursday that it will pay its final dividend as its stores remain open despite the coronavirus outbreak.
Close Brothers scraps interim dividend
Close Brothers has cancelled its interim dividend to conserve capital during the Covid-19 crisis.
Centrica pulls dividend, pauses Spirit sale
British Gas owner Centrica cancelled its dividend, cut capex and paused the planned sale of its Spirit Energy business to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bunzl scraps dividend, pulls guidance due to virus outbreak
Distribution and services group Bunzl said on Thursday that it is scrapping its dividend and withdrawing its 2020 guidance due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Segro will still pay dividend as it faces Covid-19 crisis
Segro said on Thursday that it is “very well capitalised” with a 26% loan-to-value ratio as at 31 March, alongside high liquidity and significant headroom to its financial covenants, as it faced the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower after downbeat US session
London stocks were set for more losses on Thursday following a downbeat US session, amid growing concerns about the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global economy.
Land Securities scraps dividend, sets up £80m rent relief fund
Land Securities has cancelled its dividend to conserve cash and set up an £80m rent relief fund for customers struggling during the coronavirus crisis.
Centrica cancels dividend, Segro to proceed with final distribution
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 22 points higher on Thursday, having closed down 3. 83% at 5,454. 57 on Wednesday.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Coronavirus wage subsidy, outbreak exit strategy, Treasury bond sales
Millions of people across Britain risk falling through gaps in the coronavirus wage subsidy plan and benefits system, according to two of the country’s leading economics thinktanks. After ministers hurriedly pulled together plans to increase the level of financial aid available from the state as the Covid-19 outbreak intensifies, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said many self-employed workers would still get no support, while others would be left financially better off as a result of the crisis.
US close: Markets finish weaker as Trump warns of pain
US stocks finished sharply lower on Wednesday, continuing on from the losses recorded at the end of the Dow's worst first quarter in history.
Chinese Covid-19 statistics intentionally incomplete, US intelligence says
US intelligence has concluded that China did not reveal the true extent of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in the country on purpose.