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Thursday newspaper round-up: Monzo, energy blackout, PwC
There are signs outside almost every pub, restaurant and hotel dotting Torquay’s harbour: Staff wanted. “It’s been packed solid busy, you can’t get a table anywhere,” said Brett Powis, owner of three hotels in the area including the Riviera and Lincombe Hall. For the hotelier, staff shortages made it harder to take full advantage of the busiest summertime boom in the Devon resort for decades. – Guardian.
Ashtead says results to beat expectations after strong Q1
Ashtead said annual performance would beat its previous expectations as the equipment hire company reported a 53% increase in operating profit for the first quarter.
Hilton ups dividend after strong first half
Hilton Foods increased its interim dividend by 17% as the food packaging company reported a strong first half driven by its Australian operation.
UK competition watchdog to probe Sony's AWAL purchase
The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a full inquiry into Sony’s completed purchase of AWAL, an artists and label (A&L) service for independent musicians.
Euros help C&C return to profit ahead of plan
C&C said it returned to profit ahead of plan in the first half after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and football fans drank during the Euros soccer tournament.
M&S blames Brexit for French store closures
Marks & Spencer has blamed Brexit for its decision to close 11 high street food stores in France and leave many Parisians without their favourite sandwiches.
Asia close: Geopolitical headlines dampen sentiment, China real estate and HK casino operators in focus
Stocks in Asia Pacific failed to catch a bid despite the bounce put in by Wall Street overnight.
Weekly US jobless claims surprise to the upside
Initial US jobless claims rose unexpectedly during the previous week.
US retail sales jump past forecasts in August
American consumers retrenched less than feared last month despite the impact from the Delta variant of Covid-19.
Manufacturing in US Northeast dodges Delta impact in September, Philly Fed says
Manufacturing conditions in the US mid-Atlantic region exceeded forecasts by a wide margin in September, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Europe close: Ryanair gives travel and leisure names a boost
European stocks finished higher on Thursday as a positive update out of RyanAir, Europe's largest airline, which served to lift some of the gloom hanging over the sector.
IG Group revenues grow on 'strong' Q1 performance
Online trading platform operator IG Group said on Thursday that it had delivered a "strong first-quarter performance", driven by the size and quality of its client base.
IP Group portfolio company confirms IPO intentions, inks MOU with Oracle
Intellectual property company IP Group said on Thursday that portfolio company Oxford Nanopore Technologies had confirmed its intention to proceed with an initial public offering and the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding and a cornerstone investment agreement with Oracle Corporation.
EU car registrations continue to fall in July and August
New car registrations plunged across Europe in August and July, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, principally driven by worldwide semiconductor shortages.
Good Energy rebuffs 'hostile and highly opportunistic offer' from Ecotricity
Energy firm Good Energy has rebuffed yet another "hostile and highly opportunistic offer" from Ecotricity that it claims significantly undervalues the business.
Novacyt FY revenues potentially 'materially affected' by outcome of DHSC dispute
Biotechnology company Novacyt warned on first-half revenues on Thursday as a result of its ongoing dispute with the US Department of Health and Social Care.
Co-op strikes partnership with Amazon
The Co-op has inked a partnership with ecommerce giant Amazon that will allow customers across the UK to do their entire grocery shop online via Amazon Prime with same-day delivery.
Sky broadband drops out in parts of Scotland
Sky customers across Scotland saw their internet connection drop out around about 1300 BST on Thursday.
London close: Stocks carve out gains ahead of 'quadruple witching'
London stocks managed to close in the black by midday on Thursday, with a strong showing from the likes of Rolls-Royce and Ashtead lending support.
US open: Stocks head south following retail sales and jobless claims report
Wall Street stocks were in the red early on Thursday as investors digested last month's retail sales report and a bigger-than-expected increase in initial jobless claims.