News And Announcements
Macfarlane sees annual profit broadly unchanged
Macfarlane Group said it expected annual profit would be broadly in line with the year before after sales were better than expected.
Kingfisher Q3 sales surge on booming lockdown DIY demand
B&Q owner Kingfisher reported a strong rise in third quarter sales driven by online demand as consumers spent the coronavirus lockdown improving their homes.
Cineworld said to be considering CVA, shares slide
Cineworld shares slumped on Thursday following a report the cinema chain is considering a company voluntary arrangement to help it stay afloat until the Spring.
Competition watchdog fines Comparethemarket £18m
Comparethemarket has been fined nearly £18m by the Competition and Markets Authority for artificially inflating home insurance premiums.
Syncona reports improved performance for past six months as clinical trials resume
Healthcare company Syncona reported a “robust” performance for the six months up to 30 September in which its net assets reached a value of £1,366. 7m at 203,4p per share and a net asset value total return of 9. 6% in the period.
Jet2 swings to loss as Covid takes its toll
Jet2 said on Thursday that it swung to a pre-tax loss in the first half as it took a hit from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mitie holds back guidance after first-half profit drop
Mitie failed to provide financial guidance for the year as the facilities management company reported a 44% drop in first-half profit.
Inspecs buys German eyewear firm for £85m
Eyewear maker Inspecs said it was buying German rival Eschenbach for €94. 8m (£85m) as it looks to become a major player on the global market.
AstraZeneca vaccine shows promise among elderly
AstraZeneca's potential Covid-19 vaccine showed a strong immune response in older people, suggesting it may protect some of those most susceptible to the virus, trial data showed.
Drax refinances revolving credit facility
Drax has completed the refinancing of its revolving credit facility, it announced on Thursday, reporting that the new £300m matures in 2025, with an option to extend by one year.
Royal Mail reports loss as costs outweigh parcel boom
Royal Mail swung to a first-half loss as redundancy and Covid-19 costs more than offset booming parcel deliveries that outstripped letters for the first time.
Finsbury predicts profit increase as sales improve
Finsbury Food predicted annual profit would rise as it reported improving sales performance in the first few months of the year.
Close Brothers delivers 'strong performance' in Q1
Merchant banking group Close Brothers said on Thursday that it had delivered "a strong performance" in the first quarter, reflecting high levels of new business volumes in its lending businesses.
Euromoney restarts dividend as annual profit falls
Euromoney reinstated its dividend as the business publisher reported a sharp drop in annual profit caused by event cancellations during the coronavirus crisis.
Investec reinstates dividend, guides for better H2
Financial services company Investec reinstated its dividend and forecast a better second half after better-than-expected interim results.
Grainger FY rental income grows despite Covid-19
Residential landlord Grainger said on Thursday that net rental income had grown in the year ended 30 September despite the uncertainty created by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
CMC Markets posts record H1 results as Covid boosts activity
Online trading platform CMC Markets reported a record first-half performance on Thursday as it benefited from ongoing volatility related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
LondonMetric ups dividend after strong rent collection
LondonMetric increased its dividend as the property company reported strong rent collection and higher revenue in the first half.
Johnson Matthey H1 profits drop as Covid dents demand
Johnson Matthey reported a slump in first-half pre-tax profit on Thursday as the coronavirus pandemic dented demand but said it expects a "materially stronger" second half.