Company News
S&P raises outlook on BP's long-term debt to 'positive'
Standard&Poor's raised the outlook on oil major BP's long-term A- debt rating from 'neutral' to 'positive', labelling its operating performance "robust" and arguing it would allow the outfit to absorb the impact of its acquisition of some of BHP's assets "without material deterioration in credit metrics".
Shearwater's Brookcourt scores multi-year contract with Deloitte
Organisational resilience group Shearwater told investors on Friday that Brookcourt Solutions had won a contract with Deloitte ES Cyber Risk Services.
Audioboom opens two new podcast studios in Manhattan
Global podcast company Audioboom opened two new recording studios within its existing office in New York City on Friday.
Nu-Oil partner in Canada lodges court claim for work programme costs
Nu-Oil & Gas updated the market on Friday, on production lease 2002-01(A), which was held by its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary Enegi Oil, reporting that it had been working with PVF Energy Services to agree an appropriate way to progress the asset.
Pantheon Resources outlines plans to bring discoveries to production
Oil and gas exploration company Pantheon Resources updated the market on its Alkaid discovery and Talitha appraisal on Friday, reporting that pre-application meetings with state and federal agencies for the pilot production testing of the Alkaid discovery had now taken place, with “positive and supportive” feedback received.
China's Fosun to invest £750m in debt-ridden Thomas Cook
British travel firm Thomas Cook announced on Friday that it was in "advanced discussions" with Chinese conglomerate Fosun and multiple banks regarding a £750m capital injection and the break-up of the group.
CyanConnode gets new Nordic order worth nearly EUR 0.5m
Smart mesh networks specialist CyanConnode Holdings announced on Friday that it has received a follow-on Nordic order worth €0. 49m.
Caspian Sunrise BNG production falls as it continues busy work programme
Caspian Sunrise updated the market on progress across the structures it had already identified at the BNG Contract Area on Friday, reporting success in milling away the 2. 6-metre metallic obstruction in Well A5 at a depth of 3,887 metres, following which an 85-metre section of lining had been removed from the well much sooner than it expected.
Higher iodine prices proving a boon for Iofina
Iodine exploration and production specialist Iofina updated the market on its first half activities on Friday, reporting total production of 286. 7 metric tonnes of crystalline iodine from its four ‘IOsorb’ plants in Oklahoma during the period, which was up 9. 8% year-on-year.
Georgia Healthcare Group signs cooperation agreement with maternity clinic
Georgia Healthcare Group announced on Friday that its hospitals business has signed a cooperation agreement with one of Georgia’s leading maternity houses, JSC David Davarashvili Clinic.
JKX Oil & Gas makes good progress in second quarter
JKX Oil & Gas updated the market on its second quarter operations on Friday, reporting that two new wells were completed in Ukraine in the period, as well as the workover of Well 5 in Russia.
Lookers warns on profits as market turns more challenging
Motor retailer and after-sales service provider Lookers reported “increasingly more challenging” trading on Friday, as the positive start to the year it experiences turned more difficult in the most recent quarter ended 30 June.
Pan African Resources upbeat on year-end production numbers
Pan African Resources updated the market on its operations on Friday, reporting gold production from its continuing mining operations rose by 54. 1% to 172,442 ounces in the year ended 30 June.
Palace Capital sees 'stronger than expected' interest in York project
Property investment company Palace Capital provided investors with a short update on its Hudson Quarter development in York on Friday.
Flowtech Fluidpower records further organic growth, reduces net debt
Technical fluid power products supplier Flowtech Fluidpower achieved further organic growth and reduced net debt during the first half of its trading year.
Ashmore's quarterly AuM grow by lower than expected $6.5bn in Q4
Global fund management group Ashmore saw its assets under management jump again during the fourth quarter of its trading year, albeit by less than expected by some analysts and with market performance accounting for a larger proportion of the improvement than anticipated.
Hiscox says insurance market still deteriorating
Hiscox on Friday said the insurance market continued to deteriorate after 2018 catastrophes, as it forecast first-half pre-tax profits of $150m - $170m (£119m - £135m).
WPP to sell 60% of Kantar to Bain Capital
WPP on Friday confirmed it planned to sell 60% of its Kantar market-research business to US private equity company Bain Capital, valuing it at $4bn (£3. 19bn).
Sophos Group makes solid start to new financial year
Cloud networking and cybersecurity services provider Sophos Group updated the market on its trading in the first quarter on Friday, reporting a 3% improvement on revenue year-on-year to $180. 2m, or 7% at constant currency.
DCC reiterates FY guidance; 'good' growth in Q1 operating profit
Sales, marketing and support group DCC reiterated guidance for the full year on Friday as it reported “good growth” in first quarter group operating profit, driven by acquisitions completed in the prior year.