Company News
Smartphones rule the roost while gamers keep the PC market afloat
Smartphones reclaimed the throne of technical consumer goods as record global demand created 700m sales of new handsets in the six months leading up to 30 June, despite an increase in the average selling price.
UTC nearing deal on acquisition of Rockwell Collins
According to the Financial Times, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) was close to a deal that would see the Farmington, Connecticut conglomerate purchase aviation systems and cabin equipment manufacturer Rockwell Collins for nearly $30bn.
Thursday preview: Eurozone and US inflation, Ladbrokes and Restaurant Group results
UK companies reporting include leisure pair Ladbrokes Coral and Restaurant Group, while there is a fairly busy schedule of overseas macro data, including eurozone CPI and the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of US inflation.
Jaywing acquires social media group HeadOffice
AIM-listed Jaywing has acquired social publishing native marketing and audience first creative agency HeadOffice for an undisclosed sum.
OPG power generation up in first quarter
Developer and operator of power generation plants in India, OPG Power Ventures, updated the market on its trading for the three months to 30 June on Wednesday, reporting total first quarter generation of 1. 25 billion units - a 27% improvement over the fourth quarter of the 2017 financial year.
Vedanta Resources appoints Kuldip Kaura as interim CEO
Vedanta Resources has appointed Kuldip Kaura as interim chief executive officer with effect from 1 September.
Amphion confirms sale of 1.7m Motif Bio shares
Medical, life sciences and technology business developer Amphion Innovations announced on Wednesday that 1. 7 million shares in its partner company Motif Bio had been sold in partial repayment of the loan facility originally announced on 5 June 2014.
Strategic Minerals subsidiary begins 2017 WA drill programme
Minerals production and development company Strategic Minerals announced on Wednesday that Central Australian Rare Earths, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has mobilised resources and started the first phase of the 2017 Hanns Camp drilling programme.
Vast Resources subsidiary granted Baita Plai mining rights
Mining company Vast Resources announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary African Consolidated Resources has been selected by Baita SA - the holder of the head-licence at the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania - to be granted the right to mine polymetallic ore from Baita Plai under mining licence 999/1999.
Zegona announces £140m share buyback
Zegona Communications confirmed on Wednesday it would be returning as much as £140m to shareholders in the form of a tender offer at a minimum price of £2 per share.
Robin Williams confirmed as new FIH chairman
International ‘essential services’ business FIH Group announced the appointment of Robin Williams as its non-executive chairman on Wednesday, with effect from 11 September.
Paragon revenue rises as it completes more projects
Attractions design, production and fit-out business Paragon Entertainment posted its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, reporting a 45% year-on-year uplift in revenue to £8m.
Aston Martin announces £500m UK trade deal with Japan
Iconic British car maker Aston Martin announced a £500m trade and investment deal between the UK and Japan on Wednesday.
Watkin Jones forward-sells Belfast development
Developer and constructor of multi-occupancy property assets, Watkin Jones, announced on Wednesday that it has forward-sold a development of 354 beds on Little Patrick Street in Belfast, and completed a development agreement to deliver 972 beds on the Hollis Croft scheme in Sheffield to the same institutional investor.
OptioBiotix announces 'significant progress' at half-year stage
OptiBiotix said deals with the likes of Tata Chemicals helped it in developing its pro-biotic compounds and put it in a position to fully exploit an expanded range of opportunities in previously unrepresented markets.
Hurricane Harvey halts Pantheon Resources operations in eastern Texas
AIM-listed oil and gas exploration company, Pantheon Resources said Hurricane Harvey would damage its operations in East Texas, but to what extent the tropical storm would impact its ability to operate would likely not be known until early September.
Darryl Norton appointed COO of Goldstone Resources
Goldstone Resources announced on Wednesday that it had appointed Darryl Norton as its chief operating officer - a non-board position - with immediate effect.
Electronics dealer CeX suffers major security breach
Second-hand electronics and video games dealer CeX has suffered a serious security breach, with the data of up to two million customers being stolen from its online store.
Foreign investment boosts F&C ComProp's first half earnings
Investment firm F&C Commercial Property Trust announced on Wednesday that despite challenges present in the immediate wake of the Brexit referendum in June 2016, it managed to deliver positive total returns.
Condor Gold updates on drilling at former Soviet site in Nicaragua
Central American gold explorer, Condor Gold said new results from drilling at its La India Project in Nicaragua showed a high-grade ore shoot in the Tatiana vein that contained an approximate 13. 7grams of gold per tonne (g/t).