News And Announcements
Biogen dives after canning Alzheimer's drug trials
Biogen shares plummeted on Thursday after the company confirmed that it will cease clinical trials for aducanumab, the experimental Alzheimer’s disease treatment it developed alongside its Nikkei 225-listed Japanese partner Eisai.
Persimmon addresses snags with 1.5pc homebuyer's retention
Persimmon announced on Thursday that it would become the first major UK housebuilder to adopt a policy of providing a homebuyer's retention, by writing into its standard contract that 1. 5% of the total home value - equating to around 6% of the build fabric costs - could be withheld by the buyer's solicitor until any faults identified at the point of key release were resolved.
LPA Group expecting more active second half after quiet start to year
LED lighting and electrical connecter manufacturer LPA Group confirmed that its year had started quietly on Thursday, following delays to some of the major rail projects it was involved in, including London’s Crossrail.
PV Crystalox Solar mulls cash return to shareholders as operations wind down
Photovoltaic supplier PV Crystalox Solar reported a significant drop in revenues in its final results on Thursday, to €6. 3m, compared to €26. 4m in 2017.
Sportech narrows statutory loss as it seeks to expand in US
Betting technology provider Sportech reported a 3. 9% fall in revenue in its final results on Thursday, to £63. 7m.
Sports Direct tries again with Debenhams EGM demand
Sports Direct's Mike Ashley has for the second time requisitioned a general meeting of Debenhams as his first effort was declared null and void.
Renishaw slumps as it warns over full-year results
Shares in Renishaw slumped as the engineering group cautioned that full-year results would come in below previous guidance.
Competition watchdog investigates construction industry
The competition watchdog has announced an investigation into the supply of construction services in the UK.
Strix Group sees decent growth as it maintains global market share
Kettle safety control manufacturer Strix Group reported a year of “solid performance” in its final results on Thursday, including 7. 9% growth in sales volumes and a 2. 7% improvement in revenue to £93. 8m.
Lamprell narrows loss as it seeks to return to growth
Oil rig construction company Lamprell reported a net loss of $70. 7m in its results for the year ended 31 December on Thursday, as a result of lower revenues and a loss from the East Anglia One project.
EnQuest revenue and profits surge after Magnus acquisition
Petroleum exploration and production company EnQuest reported a 48. 2% improvement to its average group production in its final results on Thursday, to 55,447 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Xaar revenue and earnings fall as it advances turnaround strategy
Inkjet printing technology company Xaar reported a 37% decline in revenue in its full year results for the 12 months ended 31 December on Thursday, to £63. 5m.
UK retail sales continue to bounce back
UK retail bounced back more than expected last month, boosted by online non-food shopping and motor fuel sales.
Portmeirion reaches new revenue record for 10th consecutive year
Pottery company Portmeirion Group reported its 10th consecutive year of record group revenue in its final results on Thursday, with the figure increasing 5. 7% year-on-year to £89. 6m.
Chemring says FY results will be more significantly weighted to H2
Chemring backed its full-year expectations on Thursday but warned that revenue, underlying operating profit and cash will be more significantly weighted to the second half due to operational disruption at some of its manufacturing sites.
Diaceutics begins listed company life on AIM
Data analytics and implementation services company Diaceutics confirmed the admission of its entire issued ordinary share capital, which comprises 69,583,077 ordinary shares, to trading on AIM on Thursday morning.
IG's quarterly trading revenues disappoint, but client numbers rise
IG Group's revenues fell 12% in the third quarter compared to the second as the online trading platform continued to adjust to new regulations and lower levels of volatility in financial markets in the last two months.
Next sees threats and opportunities for year ahead
Clothing retailer Next confirmed full-year sales and profits in line with its pre-close statement in January and maintained its central guidance for earnings to grow 3. 6% for the year ahead.
Revenue and earnings rise comfortably at Energean
Energean Oil & Gas reported a decent rise in its sales revenue in the 2018 financial year on Thursday, with the figure ending the year at $90. 3m, compared to $57. 8m a year earlier.
Ted Baker profits drop after 'difficult' year, results in line
Fashion brand Ted Baker reported a 26. 1% drop in annual profit on Thursday following a "difficult" year in which it was hit by a "forced hugging" scandal that culminated in the resignation of founder and boss Ray Kelvin.