International Companies
Lego profit surges to a record
Lego's first-half profit more than doubled to a record as the Danish toymaker emerged as a winner from the Covid-19 crisis.
Pfizer reports positive results from children's Covid-19 trial
Pfizer and BioNTech have reported positive results from their trial of a Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-12.
Pimlico Plumbers sold to US group for up to £145m
Pimlico Plumbers, the upmarket home services business founded by Charlie Mullins from a second-hand van, has been snapped up by Neighborly of the US for as much as £145m, according to a report.
Uber on track for first profitable quarter
Uber said it was on track for its first profitable quarter after burning through billions of dollars for more than a decade.
Revolut to offer commission-free US stock trading
Revolut will offer commission-free stock trading to US customers for the first time to compete with Robinhood and Square in the fast-growing world of retail share dealing.
EU officials raise doubts about Nvidia's Arm deal - report
Nvidia's $54bn purchase of Arm faces fresh opposition from EU officials after the UK's competition regulator raised concerns about the deal, according to a report.
Sweden's Sobi accepts $8bn private equity offer
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) has recommended a cash offer from Advent International and Aurora Investment valuing the rare disease drug company at SEK 69. 4bn ($8bn) in the latest private equity swoop on a European company.
PIMCO funds to acquire Columbia Property Trust for $3.9nbn
Funds managed by PIMCO have inked a deal to acquire Columbia Property Trust, an investor in high-quality office buildings, for $3. 9bn including debt.
Scientists to begin human trials of cancer vaccine using AstraZeneca technology
Researchers in the UK and Germany will begin human trials for a therapeutic cancer vaccine "shortly" that uses the same technology as AstraZeneca's Covid-19 shot.
Curevac downsizes manufacturing for Covid-19 jab amid reduced demand
CureVac has downsized its capacity for manufacturing its first generation Covid-19 vaccine due to what it said was the lower-than-expected peak demand for the shot and due to the decreased need thanks to ongoing vaccinations globally.
Beijing proposes investment in ride-hailing giant Didi
Beijing has proposed an investment that would see it take control of Didi Global, China's largest ride-hailing firm.
Tinder CEO to take top job at Yahoo
Dating platform operator Tinder revealed on Friday that chief executive officer Jim Lanzone was leaving the business in order to take over the top job at Yahoo.
Evergrande raises $1.5bn after selling bank stake
China’s Evergrande is to sell part of its stake in Shengjing Bank for $1. 5bn, as the embattled firm looks to raise cash and paydown creditors.
H&M reinstates dividend as sales recovery continues
Hennes & Mauritz is to reinstate its dividend, the fashion retailer said on Thursday, as sales and profits continued to improve from the worst of the pandemic.
Evergrande misses offshore bond payment - report
Embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande has missed a crucial bond interest payment, according to reports.
Netflix snaps up works of Roald Dahl
Netflix has secured the rights to the work of children’s favourite Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and the Big Friendly Giant.
Google appeals 500m euro fine from French regulator
Google lodged a court appeal against the fine imposed by the French Competition Authority roughly two months before.
Facebook questions CMA's authority in response to Giphy probe
Facebook has questioned the authority of the UK’s competition watchdog, in a letter published on Wednesday responding to concerns around its completed purchase of animated image sharing platform Giphy.
Irish regulators fine WhatsApp €225m for breaches of privacy
Ireland has fined Facebook's WhatsApp division a record €225. 0m for breaches of privacy after the EU's privacy watchdog pressured the nation to take a tougher stance on the matter and bigger penalties.
Amazon preps insurance offering for UK SME business customers
Amazon will soon offer insurance to small and medium-sized UK business customers, marking the e-commerce giant's first business insurance offering in Britain.