News And Announcements
Strong organic growth leads to uplift in expectations at EKF
Point-of-care business EKF Diagnostics Holdings updated the market on its trading on Thursday, announcing that its second quarter saw a continuation of the “favourable trends” experienced in the first quarter.
Checkit continues to make progress for Elektron
As shareholders in technology group Elektron gathered for the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday, its board updated the market on its current trading, confirming that its internet of things business ‘Checkit’ had made “good progress” in the year-to-date.
CyanConnode receives large purchase order from Genus Power in India
Narrowband radio mesh networks specialist CyanConnode announced the receipt of a purchase order from Genus Power Infrastructures on Thursday, for a smart metering deployment for the Indian state-owned utility Uttar Gujarat Vij.
Applegreen agrees to buy South Carolina forecourt chain
Applegreen announced on Thursday that it reached agreement to acquire the trade and certain assets of Bob Brandi and Bob Brandi Stores - a forecourt retail operation based in Columbia, South Carolina.
Positive revenue momentum continues at Blancco
Global provider of mobile device diagnostics and secure data erasure solutions Blancco issued a pre-close trading update for the year to 30 June on Thursday, reporting that the positive revenue momentum reported at the interim results had continued through the second half of the year.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals claws higher sales as acquisitions bed in
Veterinary specialist Dechra Pharmaceuticals reported trading in line with forecasts for the full year to end June.
Thursday broker round-up
Reckitt Benckiser: Jefferies downgrades to Hold with a target price of 8400p.
MySQUAR launches Mingalarbar Morning news aggregator
Myanmar-language social media, entertainment and payments platform MySQUAR announced the release of a news aggregator called Mingalarbar Morning on Thursday, which it said is designed to be used with both desktop and mobile devices.
Ferrexpo pellet production dips
Ferrexpo, the iron ore producer, announced a dip in first-half pellet production from the previous year.
Churchill China announces strong export growth and higher value-added
Churchill China, a specialist in performance ceramic for hospitality and retail markets worldwide, announced strong export sales thanks in part to weakness in Sterling.
ITV eyes Easyjet boss for CEO role
ITV could poach EasyJet's chief executive Carolyn McCall to replace its departed boss, according to City rumours that emerged overnight.
Reckitt Benckiser still not fully operational nine days after cyberattack
Reckitt Benckiser warned that the Petya cyberattack last week would hit full year sales but claimed it had made “good progress” in getting key applications and systems “back on track” so it could resume normal trading with all of its customers and partners.
Easyjet reports rising passenger traffic and load factor for June
Easyjet reported an 11. 3% increase in the number of passengers it carried in June to reach 7. 720m, alongside a 0. 8 percentage point improvement in its so-called load factor to 94. 8%.
Bovis Homes reports first-half trading performance is in-line with expectations
Bovis Homes said its trading performance for the first six months of 2017 was in-line with management expectations albeit amid increased build costs, with a strategy update to be provided in September.
Strong funds performancee fuels Syncona life science ambitions
Closed-ended investment trust Syncona described its full year to 31 March as “transformative” on Thursday, with net assets at year end of £895. 2m, or 136p per share, for a total return of 12. 5%.
Portfolio income continues to rise at 3i Infrastructure
Long-term infrastructure investor 3i Infrastructure reported total portfolio income of £20. 8m in the three months to 30 June on Thursday, with non-income cash of £17. 7m also received over the quarter.
Great Portland Estates pleased with lettings progress
Great Portland Estates saw 20 new lettings in in the quarter to 30 June, it reported in a trading update on Thursday, generating annual rent of £6m - its share being £5. 2m - which was 2. 3% ahead of its March estimated recovery value.
GVC net gaming revenue rises in absence of major football tournament
Sports betting and gaming group GVC Holdings saw a 10% rise in group daily net gaming revenue during its first half, it reported on Thursday, or 12% when measured in constant currencies.
AB Foods eyes higher growth as Primark prospers
Boosted by the weak pound, Associated British Foods improved its performance in the third quarter, with particularly strong trading at its Primark clothing retail arm that has slightly lifted the full year expectations.
NewRiver gets council approval for big Oxford redevelopment
Oxford City Council approved plans for a major mixed-use development to regenerate the city’s Templars Square shopping centre this week, by retail-focussed real estate investment trust NewRiver.