Company News
Friday preview: US consumer confidence, JD Wetherspoon in focus
The end of the week will see the market spotlight swivel back towards the States, where a slew of economic reports are scheduled to be released on import prices and retail sales in August, alongside a preliminary reading on consumer confidence for September.
Steppe Cement sinks as Kazakh market contracts
Shares in Steppe Cement dived on Thursday as the company said the Kazakh cement market had contracted by 3% in the first half of the year, though interim profit and sales both increased.
Cairn Homes posts rise in profit, proposes first interim dividend
Irish housebuilder Cairn Homes posted a rise in first-half profits and revenues on Thursday amid "strong" demand, as it proposed its first interim dividend.
Xaar shares soar following 'significant' agreement with Stratasys
Digital inkjet technology business Xaar has reached a "significant" agreement with partner Stratasys in regards to its 3D printer business.
London Security's ten acquisitions spur interim growth
London Security on Thursday reported interim profit and revenue growth following a flurry of business acquisitions and improvements in service work scheduling.
Silence Therapeutics to launch new trial before year end
Silence Therapeutics said on Thursday that the first half of the year saw good progress in the development of its lead candidate, SLN124, with the first patient set to be dosed before the year is out.
N Brown expects another £30m hit from PPI claims, debt set to rise
Clothing retailer N Brown said on Thursday that it will need to make an additional provision of up to £30m following a surge in payment protection insurance information requests and complaints (PIRs) in the run-up to the August deadline, with debt expected to rise as a result.
Aggregated Micro reiterates guidance following in-depth review
Clean energy group Aggregated Micro reiterated its guidance for the trading year ended 31 March on Thursday following an in-depth company-led review into its stock balances.
Hurricane Energy 'delighted' with test results from Lincoln Crestal well
Oil and gas explorer Hurricane Energy was "delighted" to reveal that it had recorded a maximum stable flowrate of 9,800 barrels of oil per day during testing at its Lincoln Crestal well, off the west coast of the Shetland Islands.
Co-operative Group profits dented by weak funeral business
The Co-operative Group reported a drop in first-half profit on Thursday following a weak performance from its funerals business, as it warned of disruption to its supply chain in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Biome Technologies profits slip as it looks to bioplastics unit for growth
Natural polymers supplier Biome Technologies saw revenues and profits slip in the six months ended 30 June as it continued with efforts to make the bioplastics division its main revenue generator.
Comptoir Group narrows losses in first half
Restaurant owner Comptoir Group reported a narrowing of its first-half losses on Thursday as revenue nudged higher.
NewRiver REIT buys Dorset retail park via Bravo Strategies JV
Real estate investment trust NewRiver said on Thursday that its joint-venture with PIMCO's Bravo Strategies III fund has exchanged contracts to buy Poole Retail Park in Dorset for £44. 7m.
Trainline lifts FY revenue guidance
Trainline lifted its full-year group revenue guidance on Thursday as it posted a rise in first-half ticket sales and revenue.
Focusrite to top FY expectations after 'another successful year'
Music and audio products firm Focusrite said on Thursday that it expects to top full-year expectations after "another successful year" saw revenue and profits grow strongly.
John Lewis swings to loss, warns of 'significant' hit from no-deal Brexit
Retailer John Lewis warned on Thursday that it would take a "significant" hit from a no-deal Brexit, as it swung to a first-half loss.
Energean Oil & Gas swings to loss, cuts guidance
Energean Oil & Gas on Thursday cut its full-year production guidance and said it swung to an interim loss, as rising costs more than offset a jump in revenue.
Babcock wins £1.25bn UK navy frigate order
A consortium led by Babcock has been named preferred bidder for a £1. 25bn contract to build five Type 31 warships for the UK navy.
Morrisons Q2 sales fall as interims rise 5.3%
Supermarket retailer Morrisons reported a fall in second quarter like-for-like sales as it posted a 5. 3% rise in interim profit on Thursday.
Workspace agrees two London property disposals for £34.8m
Workspace has exchanged contracts for the disposal of Vestry Street Studios in Shoreditch and Alexandra House in Wood Green for a total of £34. 75m.