Company News
FCA fines tally falls to 15-year low
The number of fines imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2017 has fallen to the lowest since 2002 when modern regulation of the City was in its infancy.
Friday preview: EU council summit conclusion, SThree and Trinity Mirror updates
The conclusion of the EU Council summit will be the main focus for markets on Friday, with no FTSE 350 companies expected to report results.
Walt Disney to buy 21st Century Fox assets in $52.4bn deal, including Sky stake
Walt Disney has announced an agreement to buy the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox in a deal worth around $52. 4bn, including a 39% stake in UK broadcaster Sky.
Zotefoams investing £12m in Croydon facility
Cellular materials technology company Zotefoams announced that it will invest approximately £12m to increase capacity at its Croydon site.
Magnolia pleased with initial production at Gilchrist
US-focussed oil and gas exploration and production company Magnolia Petroleum announced on Thursday that the initial production rates for the Gilchrist 2016 1-36H well in Oklahoma had significantly exceeded its projections, producing 652 barrels of oil per day (bopd), with a volumetric flow rate of 1,178 Mcfd - or 770 barrels of oil equivalent per day - with an associated flowing tubing pressure of 120 psi.
Brave Bison extends video deal with Royal Dutch Shell
Social video company Brave Bison has entered into a two-year extension of its commercial partnership with Royal Dutch Shell, it announced on Thursday.
Avation enters $100m aircraft revolving credit facility agreement
Avation has entered into a secured aircraft revolving facility agreement with an unnamed “leading” international bank, it announced on Thursday.
Lonmin surges as it agrees £285m Sibanye-Stillwater takeover
Lonmin shares rose sharply on Thursday after the platinum miner agreed to be taken over by South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater in an all-share deal that values the group at around £285m.
Costain appointed to Crown Commercial Service management consultancy framework
Construction and engineering group Costain has been appointed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to provide consulting services as part of its management consultancy framework.
UK retail sales flatter to deceive thanks to Black Friday effect
UK retail sales increased much more than expected last month due to a statistical anomaly caused by Black Friday.
Ocado's sales growth hit by lack of delivery drivers
Ocado reported slightly slower sales growth in the fourth quarter as a lack of delivery drivers put the brakes on capacity, though previous falls in the online grocer's average basket size were arrested.
Sports Direct first-half profits slump 67%
Despite claims by chief executive Mike Ashley that Sports Direct's elevation strategy is delivering a "spectacular trading performance", shares in the retailer slumped on Thursday as investors reacted to a 67% drop in pre-tax profit.
GCP Infrastructure maintains dividends amid market turbulence
GCP Infrastructure Investments posted its annual results for the year to 30 September on Thursday, confirming dividends of 7. 6p per share had been paid for the year, in line with that paid in 2016.
Capital & Counties acquires Covent Garden leasehold
Capital & Counties Properties has acquired the long leasehold interest in 15-17 Long Acre & 27b Floral Street for £79m before purchaser's costs.
Spectris offloads half of EMS B&K to Macquarie
Productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company Spectris has signed an agreement with Macquarie Capital - the corporate advisory and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group - for them to acquire 50% of Spectris' environmental monitoring business EMS Brüel & Kjær for a total cash consideration of AUD 76. 6m (£43. 4m), subject to closing adjustments.
Vesuvius cuts interest payments with new US bond issue
Vesuvius has raised €100m in a private US bond placing to pay off other, higher-coupon debt.
Capita reveals extra profit impairments and gloomy outlook
Capita said a number of extra restructuring and one off accounting charges will hit full year numbers, while a subdued market for public sector outsourcing contracts led to a fairly gloomy outlook.
888 Holdings pleased with progress as it approaches year-end
Online gaming entertainment and solutions provider 888 Holdings updated the market on its trading on Thursday, prior to entering the close period in respect of its full year results for the year to 31 December.
Meggitt warns on Falcon programme changes
Meggitt noted the announcement by Dassault Aviation of the cancellation of the Falcon 5X programme on Thursday, along with the launch of a new Falcon programme featuring the same cross section, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, with an expected entry into service of 2022.
Petrofac trading in line after revival of orders
Petrofac said it was trading in line with expectations after a revival of new orders for the oilfield services group in 2017.