Company News
Friday preview: US consumer confidence, Easyjet in focus
The spotlight at the end of the week, barring surprises on the international trade or Brexit fronts, will be on US consumer confidence data for May.
Nestle plans sale of $10bn skincare group to EQT
Nestle is in talks to sell its skincare business to a group led by private equity outfit EQT Partners for $10. 1bn (£7. 88bn) in what would be the second largest private equity-backed M&A deal on the Continent since the financial crisis, according to data from Refinitiv.
BT boss to handout £500 a year in shares to staff
BT’s CEO announced on Thursday that the company would hand out £500 worth of shares per year each employee in an attempt to boost morale.
Metro Bank launches discounted share placing
Metro Bank confirmed after the close of markets that it was looking to raise £350m in a placing at a discounted price of 500p a share.
PureCircle sweetens Merisant partnership with new supply agreement
Stevia producer PureCircle on Thursday entered a new supply agreement with tabletop sweetener producer Merisant that expands the partnership between the two companies and includes PureCircle's new generation of stevia products.
Thomas Cook tanks as it posts £1.46bn loss
Thomas Cook shares tanked on Thursday as the company said losses widened in the first half of the year amid "challenging" trading conditions, warned over second-half earnings and confirmed that several bids had been received for all and part of its airline.
Pret a Manger reportedly nearing deal to buy Eat
Sandwich chain Pret a Manger was on Thursday said to be close to a deal to buy smaller rival Eat.
RA International scores $10.7m humanitarian contract
RA International on Thursday won a $10. 7m contract from a large humanitarian client in Central Africa to construct accommodation facilities for peacekeeping troops in up to 10 locations.
Revenues exceed expectations for LiDCO in first quarter
Hemodynamic monitoring company LiDCO said it had made a “good start” to the year on Thursday, with first quarter revenues said to be “well ahead” of the same time last year, and above the board’s expectations.
One Media pleased with performance as it expands IP library
Music, video and copyright technology intellectual property rights company One Media iP Group told shareholders in Thursday that it was pleased with continued development following a year of “strategic progress” in 2018.
AfriAg seeks to become vertically-integrated cannabis firm through Appolon investment
AfriAg Global has entered into a conditional subscription agreement to subscribe for shares in Jamaica-focussed medicinal cannabis company Apollon Formularies, it announced on Thursday.
S&P lifts RBS's long-term credit rating to BBB
Standard&Poor's has revised its rating on Royal Bank of Scotland's long-term debt higher, arguing that its strengthened balance sheet and improved earnings have boosted the lender's ability to navigate the uncertain political and economic landscape in the UK.
Accesso partners up with US WWII museum
Accesso Technologies on Thursday landed a three-year partnership agreement with The United States' National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Premier Oil gains after upgrading production guidance
Premier Oil's shares jumped on Thursday after the oiler upgraded its full-year production guidance as a strong improvement from operations in the UK drove expectations higher.
European Commission fines five banks €1bn for market rigging
Five major banks have been fined a total of €1. 07bn by the European Commission on Thursday due to foreign exchange market-rigging that took place from 2007 to 2013.
Gaming Realms jumps after global distribution contract win
Gaming Realms on Thursday netted a 3-year agreement to distribute gambling games from Scientific Games' Digital Group (SG Digital) via SG Digital's opening gaming system platform.
Aeorema witnesses 'strong trading' in H2, driven by new business wins
Live events agency Aeorema Communications has seen 'strong trading' so far in its second trading half, with new business wins boosting its overall performance.
Anglo Asian raises production target as profits surge
Anglo Asian Mining set a higher production target for 2018 after booming production drove profit sharply higher in 2018.
Sophos soars after results beat expectations
Sophos shares rose strongly after the cyber security company posted results ahead of expectations following a string of disappointing updates.
Wilmington hires DMGT's Mark Milner as CEO
Wilmington has hired Mark Milner from Daily Mail and General Trust as its next chief executive.