Company News
Petrofac boss Asfari donates to Tories amid SFO probe
Under-fire Petrofac chief executive Ayman Asfari made a donation to the Conservative party ahead of June’s general election, despite being under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
Friday preview: Hikma has chance to 'refocus'
Outside of Iran, where citizens head to the polls to pick the next president, Friday should be very quiet on the macroeconomic front and fairly relaxed on the company news calendar, though Hikma Pharmaceuticals has a chance to reassure investors after its recent US regulatory disappointment.
Itaconix looking to 're-balance', cut costs
Designer and manufacturer of specialty polymers Itaconix announced on Thursday that, following the acquisition and integration of Itaconix Corporation in the USA, it was implementing operational changes to the group.
Asda's quarterly sales improve again, WalMart at risk from Lidl launch
Asda's like-for-like sales continue to decline in the first quarter of the year, though US parent company Wal-Mart saw improvement in the underlying business.
Prudential unveils strong first quarter and Asia reshuffle
Prudential has reported strong first-quarter profits growth and a boardroom reshuffle, with finance chief Nic Nicandrou shifted over to manage the key Asia business and a 26-year Deloitte veteran appointed to take over as chief bean counter.
Dalata takes freeholds at two Dublin hotels
Dalata Hotel Group announced on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Kieran Wallace as receiver to acquire the freehold interest of certain elements of the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane in Dublin 2 and the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley, also in Dublin, for a consideration of €62. 5m.
Shire rallies on positive HAE drug trial
Shire shares rallied on Thursday as the biopharmaceutical group said phase 3 results for its lanadelumab treatment for hereditary angioedema showed a significant reduction in the monthly attack rate.
Experian lifts FY profits by 11%, announces $600m share buyback
Information services company Experian reported an 11% rise in profit for the year to the end of March as it announced a $600m share buyback for full-year 2018.
Cairn Energy posts positive results from Senegal well
Cairn Energy announced the results of another successful appraisal well offshore Senegal on Thursday.
Non-tobacco sales underpin growth at Booker
Wholesaler Booker Group posted its final results for the 52 weeks to 24 March on Thursday, with sales rising 6. 7% to £5. 3bn, consisting of 8. 7% growth in non-tobacco sales, and 2. 4% growth in tobacco sales.
Cineworld revenues rise as fans flock to films
Movie screen operator Cineworld said revenues rose 15. 8% on a constant currency basis for the January 1 to May 11 period.
Bumper summer bookings help narrow losses for Thomas Cook
Holiday operator Thomas Cook posted its half-year results for the six months to 31 March on Thursday, reporting like-for-like revenue up 3% to £2. 99bn, which the board said reflected strong winter demand to Spain and long-haul destinations.
Breakfast and balanced choices drive growth at Greggs
Bakery chain Greggs updated the market on its trading on Thursday, ahead of its annual general meeting on Friday, reporting that total sales were up 7. 5% in first 19 weeks of 2017, compared to 5. 7% growth in the same period last year.
North America, Asia Pacific drive growth at SSP Group
Travel location-based food and beverage outlet operator SSP Group released its financial results for the first half of its 2017 financial year to 31 March on Thursday, reporting underlying operating profit of £42. 8m - an improvement of 24. 7% at constant currency, and 38. 5% at actual exchange rates.
Defined benefits drive new business at JRP Group
JRP Group updated the market on its trading for the quarter to 31 March on Thursday, with overall total new business sales of £436m growing by 13%, driven by a large increase in defined benefit de-risking (DB) volumes, partly offset by more normal levels of mortgage advances.
Dairy Crest profit rises in first full year without dairies
Dairy Crest posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 March on Thursday, with adjusted profit before tax up 5% to £60. 6m.
3i bumps up dividend as total return rockets
Private equity group 3i has declared a bumper dividend after its total return rocketed up 93% to £1. 59bn thanks to valuation gains on its portfolio and a big benefit from the weakness of the pound.
Euromoney Institutional pleased with first-half strategic progress
Euromoney Institutional Investor posted its interim results for the six months to 31 March on Thursday, with total revenue rising 5% to £203. 2m.
Marston's fizzing over Charles Wells brewery acquisition
Marston's announced on Thursday that it had agreed to acquire the Charles Wells brewing business from the Charles Wells Group, for a cash consideration of £55m plus working capital adjustments.