Company News
Tuesday preview: Fed Chief Powell, China manufacturing in focus
The focus in financial markets at the end of the second quarter will be on US central bank chief, Jerome Powell's testimony before the US House of Representatives Financial Services Committee.
Director dealings: Thinksmart director ups stake
Thinksmart revealed on Monday that non-executive director Peter Gammell had acquired two million ordinary shares in the AIM-listed digital payments company.
Oriole confirms start of air core drilling at Fare
West Africa-focussed exploration company Oriole Resources announced on Monday that a 10,000 metre air core drilling campaign has begun at the Faré target within its Senala project in Senegal, where its joint venture partner Iamgold had the option to spend up to $8m to earn a 70% interest.
Phoenix Copper pleased with results of Empire test work
Phoenix Copper announced the results of the initial metallurgical test work for the recovery of precious metals occurring in the Empire Mine deposit on Monday, reporting that tests performed on samples from the open pit using non-toxic ammonium thiosulfate reagent resulted in high gold recoveries of 97. 8% and 97. 7%, and silver recoveries of 69. 8% and 78. 2%, respectively.
Restaurant Group creditors vote for deal to close 125 sites
The Restaurant Group's creditors have voted in favour of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that will close 125 eateries and allow the company to seek cheaper rents for other sites in its Frankie & Benny's chain.
Arc Minerals begins second season of exploration in Zambia
Arc Minerals announced the start of the second season of exploration activities over the Zamsort and Zaco license areas in north western Zambia on Monday.
Byron Hamburgers appoints administrators
British burger chain Byron filed a notice to appoint administrators from KPMG on Monday, making it yet another in a long line of restaurant groups to find itself in a pickle as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
BP to sell petrochemicals business to Ineos for $5bn
BP has agreed to sell its petrochemicals business to chemicals company Ineos for $5bn.
OptiBiotix launches 'WellBiome' prebiotic ingredient
OptiBiotix Health announced the launch of its ‘WellBiome’ product on Monday, which it described as a proprietary blend of prebiotic functional fibres, functional dietary fibres and minerals, optimised for health and wellbeing by promoting the diversity of the gut microbiome.
Oilex makes progress with Bhandut sale
Oilex announced on Monday that the sale of its 40% participating interest in the Bhandut production sharing contract (PSC) has “substantially” progressed.
K3 raises £30.5m to buy Randd and other targets
K3 Capital said it had raised £30. 5m to fund the purchase of Randd, an arranger of research and development tax credits for businesses, for up to £16. 8m and further acquisitions.
Single course of Covid-19 treatment to cost $2,340 per patient - Gilead
Gilead Sciences has announced it will charge developed countries $390 a vial for remdesivir, its antiviral drug currently being investigated for use in Covid-19 patients.
Two-thirds of small firms face late payments during Covid crisis - FSB
Nearly two-thirds of small businesses have been hit by late or frozen payments during the coronavirus pandemic, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said on Monday.
Catalyst Media's SIS acquires stake in virtual horse racing operator
Sports marketing firm Catalyst Media's portfolio business Sports Information Services acquired a 20. 54% interest in virtual horse racing operator 49's on Monday.
UK mortgage approvals collapse - Bank of England
Mortgage approvals tumbled to a fresh low in May, figures from the Bank of England showed on Monday, as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to weigh heavily on the UK property sector.
Mountfield hit hard by Covid-19, delays FY results
Flooring and construction company Mountfield delayed publication of its full-year results on Monday after having been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Costain walks away from National Grid contract
Infrastructure solutions group Costain said on Monday that both it and National Grid had mutually agreed to terminate a contract between the pair.
Hunting cuts workforce by a quarter
Energy services group Hunting cut its workforce by 25% on Monday as a result of lower oil prices due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maestrano subsidiary secures grant under Innovate UK project
Data management firm Maestrano has been awarded a £50,000 grant under the Innovate UK "Business-led innovation in response to global disruption" competition.
Stanley Gibbons sees 'volatile but defined improvement' to trading
Stamp dealer and philatelic publisher Stanley Gibbons said on Monday that it has seen "some volatile but defined improvement" in trading of late.