News And Announcements
Darktrace defends itself after QCM attack as saga rages on
The chief executive of Darktrace put out a statement on Wednesday defending the cyber security firm after it came attack under attack from a short seller earlier this week.
Hollywood's Chernin, France's FL Entertainment in talks over ITV Studios - report
Veteran Hollywood producer Peter Chernin and French TV production group FL Entertainment have reportedly expressed interest in UK broadcaster ITV’s Studios.
Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate to sell 1,000 pubs - report
Be At One and Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate Pub Co. , which is owned by private equity firm TDR Capital, is reportedly planning to sell 1,000 of its pubs, or more than a fifth of the total, for an estimated £800m.
British Steel drawing up plans for 800 job losses - report
British Steel has reportedly been drawing up secret plans to axe hundreds of jobs even as it continues talks with ministers about £300m of taxpayer funding that would partly depend on decade-long employment guarantees.
Weak Europe trade hits Vodafone Q3 revenue
Telecoms giant Vodafone said revenues fell in the third quarter as the economic slowdown hit trading in Continental Europe and offset a good performance in the UK.
Flagstone mulling potential fundraise - report
Flagstone has held preliminary discussions about a potential fundraising, it was reported on Wednesday.
Bestway ups stake in Sainsbury's
Costcutter parent company Bestway Group raised its stake in British supermarket giant Sainsbury's to 4. 47% on Wednesday, less than a week after picking up a 3. 45% stake in the UK's second-largest grocer.
Manufacturing downturn eases in Eurozone
The downturn in Eurozone manufacturing continued to ease in January, a closely-watched survey showed on Wednesday, as energy markets steadied.
Darktrace launches £75m share buyback after short seller attack
Cyber security firm Darktrace announced a share buyback on Wednesday of up to 35m shares.
First Abu Dhabi mulls fresh approach for StanChart - report
Shares in Standard Chartered ticked higher in early trading on Monday, after it was reported that First Abu Dhabi Bank was still considering a potential offer for the UK blue chip.
Rough diamond sales at Anglo’s De Beers rise in first cycle
The value of rough diamond sales at Anglo American’s De Beers rose in the first cycle of the year.
Virgin Money delivers 'positive' Q1 performance
Lender Virgin Money said on Wednesday that it had delivered a "positive first quarter", with continued good progress on digitisation and growth in lending.
Glencore leaves guidance unchanged, despite output fall
Glencore reiterated 2023 production guidance on Wednesday, despite a fall in copper and zinc output.
FDM Group FY revenues grow
Professional services provider FDM Group said on Wednesday that its full-year financial performance looked set to be in line with expectations.
Ladbrokes owner Entain lifts FY profit expectations
Entain lifted its full-year profit expectations on Wednesday as it reported a record fourth quarter for both net gaming revenues and active customers.
Severn Trent CFO to step down
Severn Trent said James Bowling was retiring chief financial officer in July 2023 after eight years with the water utility and would be replaced by Helen Miles, currently the company's capital and commercial services director.
Record vaccine sales boost profits at GSK
Fourth-quarter profits at GSK came in ahead of expectations on Wednesday, boosted by strong demand for the drug giant’s blockbuster shingles vaccine.
Tiny missing Rio Tinto 'needle in haystack' capsule found in Western Australia
A miniscule radioactive capsule lost by Australian miner Rio Tinto has been recovered in the remote Western Australian outback, officials said on Wednesday.