News And Announcements
Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal 'would hurt gamers' - CMA
Britain's competition regulator has said Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard would reduce choice for gaming consumers who use competing Xbox and Sony Playstation consoles.
Anglo American to buy minority stake in Canada Nickel
Anglo American said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy a 9. 9% minority interest in Canada Nickel, which owns the Crawford nickel project in Ontario, for an undisclosed sum.
Barratt cuts dividend as higher mortgage costs hit housing market
UK housebuilder Barratt cut its dividend as the housing market started to cool down in response to rising interest rates and mortgage costs.
Next appoints Lipsy's Jeremy Stakol as executive director
Next said on Wednesday that it has appointed Jeremy Stakol as non-executive director, putting him in charge of boosting the clothing and homeware retailer's online sales.
Maersk issues profits warning as freight rates, volumes slump
Shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk issued a profit warning on Wednesday due to a slump in container volumes and freight rates.
CVS Health to buy Oak Street Health in $10.6bn deal
US pharmacy chain CVS Health said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy Oak Street Health in a $10. 6bn all-cash deal.
Industrial action will not lead to power cuts, Drax insists
Drax Group has insisted that the UK’s electricity supply will not be affected after workers voted in favour of industrial action.
TP Icap ditches talks over data division sale - report
Interdealer broker TP Icap has reportedly ditched talks about a sale of its data division, Parameta, despite coming under pressure to return more cash to investors.
Renold sees FY profits ahead of market expectations
Renold said on Wednesday that full-year profits were set to be ahead of current market expectations following strong trading since the interim results in November.
Fourth-quarter income falls at SocGen
Societe Generale reported a slide in fourth-quarter income on Wednesday, after the French lender boosted provisions for bad loans.
Speedy Hire launches investigation into uncovering £20m deficiency
Tools and equipment hire services company Speedy Hire has launched an investigation after uncovering a deficiency in the net book value of its hire equipment.
PZ Cussons reiterates full-year guidance
PZ Cussons reiterated its full-year outlook on Wednesday, despite the "challenging" economic climate, following a jump in interim revenues.
Sosandar to raise £4.5m to accelerate omni-channel strategy
Women’s online fashion brand Sosandar said on Wednesday that it plans to raise £4. 5m in a placing to accelerate the execution of its omni-channel strategy through further investment in stock.
Future FY operating profits seen in line with expectations
Media firm operator Future expects to deliver full-year adjusted operating profits looked set to be in line with expectations, thanks to the diversification of its revenue streams and content verticals so far this year.
Grainger posts strong rental growth on high demand, short supply
Private housing provider and developer Grainger reported a strong rise in rental growth as it cashed in on a shortage of supply against higher demand.
Ashmore H1 profits drop amid 'subdued' investor appetite
Emerging markets asset manager Ashmore posted a drop in first-half profits on Wednesday as it pointed to "subdued" risk appetite in the face of several global macro and geopolitical headwinds.
FirstGroup to buy Essex-based bus Group Ensignbus
Transport operator FirstGroup has agreed to buy Essex-based bus company Ensignbus for an undisclosed sum.
DCC Q3 operating profits rise YOY
Sales and marketing firm DCC said on Wednesday that third-quarter group operating profits were in line with expectations and ahead of the prior year.
Beazley appoints former Phoenix head chair
Lloyd's of London insurer Beazley said on Wednesday that it has named a former Phoenix Group chief executive as its next chair.
Smurfit Kappa lifts dividend as FY earnings jump
Corrugated packaging company Smurfit Kappa reported a rise in full-year profit and revenue on Wednesday and lifted its final dividend, as it said that inflation had moderated in the latter part of the year.