Company News
Biogen dives after canning Alzheimer's drug trials
Biogen shares plummeted on Thursday after the company confirmed that it will cease clinical trials for aducanumab, the experimental Alzheimer’s disease treatment it developed alongside its Nikkei 225-listed Japanese partner Eisai.
Persimmon addresses snags with 1.5pc homebuyer's retention
Persimmon announced on Thursday that it would become the first major UK housebuilder to adopt a policy of providing a homebuyer's retention, by writing into its standard contract that 1. 5% of the total home value - equating to around 6% of the build fabric costs - could be withheld by the buyer's solicitor until any faults identified at the point of key release were resolved.
LPA Group expecting more active second half after quiet start to year
LED lighting and electrical connecter manufacturer LPA Group confirmed that its year had started quietly on Thursday, following delays to some of the major rail projects it was involved in, including London’s Crossrail.
PV Crystalox Solar mulls cash return to shareholders as operations wind down
Photovoltaic supplier PV Crystalox Solar reported a significant drop in revenues in its final results on Thursday, to €6. 3m, compared to €26. 4m in 2017.
Sportech narrows statutory loss as it seeks to expand in US
Betting technology provider Sportech reported a 3. 9% fall in revenue in its final results on Thursday, to £63. 7m.
Sports Direct tries again with Debenhams EGM demand
Sports Direct's Mike Ashley has for the second time requisitioned a general meeting of Debenhams as his first effort was declared null and void.
SafeStyle profits slip amid 'disruption' from new competitor
Safestyle on Thursday reported that it swung to a loss in 2018 as the business incurred litigation costs and "an unprecedented period of disruption and change" resulted in a drop in revenue.
Renishaw slumps as it warns over full-year results
Shares in Renishaw slumped as the engineering group cautioned that full-year results would come in below previous guidance.
Sopheon sales visibility softens
Sopheon's shares slipped on Thursday despite outperforming in 2018 after the software developer reported that revenue growth was likely to slow in the current year.
Shore Capital profit falls as costs rise
Shore Capital’s annual profit fell 11% as increased revenue failed to compensate for increased costs at the London stockbroker.
Competition watchdog investigates construction industry
The competition watchdog has announced an investigation into the supply of construction services in the UK.
Strix Group sees decent growth as it maintains global market share
Kettle safety control manufacturer Strix Group reported a year of “solid performance” in its final results on Thursday, including 7. 9% growth in sales volumes and a 2. 7% improvement in revenue to £93. 8m.
Game Digital scores profit rise despite revenue drop
Computer games retailer Game Digital reported that cost-cutting had led to an increase in interim profits, despite a drop in revenue.
Lamprell narrows loss as it seeks to return to growth
Oil rig construction company Lamprell reported a net loss of $70. 7m in its results for the year ended 31 December on Thursday, as a result of lower revenues and a loss from the East Anglia One project.
Wynnstay warns on profits as farmers eye Brexit, weather
Wynnstay Group's shares plummeted on Thursday after the agricultural products supplier said it was trading behind seasonal norms amid Brexit uncertainty and warned that its interim results will fall "substantially" compared to last year.
EnQuest revenue and profits surge after Magnus acquisition
Petroleum exploration and production company EnQuest reported a 48. 2% improvement to its average group production in its final results on Thursday, to 55,447 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Xaar revenue and earnings fall as it advances turnaround strategy
Inkjet printing technology company Xaar reported a 37% decline in revenue in its full year results for the 12 months ended 31 December on Thursday, to £63. 5m.
UK retail sales continue to bounce back
UK retail bounced back more than expected last month, boosted by online non-food shopping and motor fuel sales.
Portmeirion reaches new revenue record for 10th consecutive year
Pottery company Portmeirion Group reported its 10th consecutive year of record group revenue in its final results on Thursday, with the figure increasing 5. 7% year-on-year to £89. 6m.
Chemring says FY results will be more significantly weighted to H2
Chemring backed its full-year expectations on Thursday but warned that revenue, underlying operating profit and cash will be more significantly weighted to the second half due to operational disruption at some of its manufacturing sites.