News And Announcements
Halfords FY profit hit by mild weather, 'weakened' consumer confidence
Halfords posted a drop in full-year profit on Tuesday as it pointed to "weakened" consumer confidence and mild winter temperatures.
Peloton scraps IPO in favour of $1bn tie up with Merck
American drugs giant Merck has agreed to buy Peloton Therapeutics in a deal that could eventually be worth more than $2bn.
Itaconix receives first order for personal care polymer from Nouryon
Itaconix has received its first purchase order from Nouryon to supply its polymer for Nouryon's new ‘Amaze SP’ product, it announced on Tuesday, under the previously-announced exclusive global supply agreement for Nouryon to market Itaconix polymers in personal care applications.
VR Education experience launching on new Oculus headset
Education-focussed virtual reality technology company VR Education announced on Tuesday that its showcase experience ‘Apollo 11 VR’ has been selected by Facebook to be a launch title on the ‘Oculus Quest’ headset, which was launching globally.
Crossword launches new cybersecurity offer in partnership with Reliance
Crossword Cybersecurity announced on Tuesday that its consulting division has launched a new product, ‘virtual Chief Information Security Officer’ (vCISO), in partnership with IT security company Reliance.
Jamie Oliver's restaurant group collapses
The restaurant group fronted by celebrity chef Jamie Olivier has collapsed, putting up to 1,300 jobs at risk.
OPG secures further hedge against coal price movements
OPG Power Ventures announced on Tuesday that it has secured a further hedge against the volatility of coal price movements, and has entered into a fixed-price coal purchase agreement for one million tonnes, representing around 60% of its annual coal requirements.
Bloomsbury Publishing's profits trounce expectations
Bloomsbury Publishing beat expectations on Tuesday as it achieved annual profit growth, leading the business to deliver a 24th consecutive year of dividend growth.
Hilton Food trades in line year-to-date
Food packing company Hilton Food Group has traded in line with expectations thus far in 2019, continuing to grow its business through additional volumes and close cooperation with retail partners.
Non-Standard Finance loan book 'strong', still engaging with Provident shareholders
Doorstep lender Non-Standard Finance said on Tuesday that it is continuing to engage with shareholders of larger rival Provident Financial, as it reported "strong" growth in its loan book since the start of the year.
First Derivatives cheers investors with upbeat outlook
Northern Ireland’s First Derivatives said the current year had got off to a strong start as it reported a jump in both revenues and profits.
Shoe Zone first-half profits flat; current trading in line
Profits at Shoe Zone were flat in the first half of the year, while revenues dipped just a touch as the footwear retailer said current trading was in line with management expectations.
Assura's profits and revenues boosted by portfolio growth
Assura on Tuesday reported that portfolio expansion drove annual rental income and profit growth, while the company's pipeline has reached a record level on the back of a new acquisition.
BP chairman warns 'world is on an unsustainable path'
BP’s chairman acknowledged in the Financial Times on Tuesday that the world’s energy consumption is on “an unsustainable path”.
Mercia pours another £2m into transdermal drug company Medherant
Technology investment company Mercia Technologies announced an additional £2m direct investment as part of a £2. 4m syndicated investment round into Medherant on Tuesday.
4D Pharma losses widen as it spends cash on development activities
Biotherapeutics development company 4D Pharma reported net assets of £45. 8m in its final results on Tuesday, falling from £69. 8m year-on-year.
Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquires catalogue from prolific songwriter Jamie Scott
Hipgnosis Songs Fund has acquired a music catalogue from British songwriter and record producer Jamie Scott, it announced on Tuesday, adding that he had been responsible for 84 number one, 188 top five and 247 top 10 chart positions globally.
Galantas Gold losses widen as it presses on with development
Galantas Gold Corporation reported a net loss of CAD 0. 78m for the quarter ended 31 March on Tuesday, widening from CAD 0. 52m year-on-year.
Topps Tiles first-half profit drops but H2 sees 'encouraging' start
Topps Tiles reported a drop in interim profit on Tuesday amid broadly flat revenue, a performance it described as "resilient" in a "challenging" environment.
Good Energy to redeem remainder of first renewable energy bond
Renewable electricity supplier and localised self-generation power service provider Good Energy Group announced on Tuesday that it would redeem in full the remaining amount of its first bond issued in 2013 before 30 June.