Company News
Shell completes sale of stake in SADAF
Shell announced on Wednesday that it had completed the sale of its 50% share in SADAF, the company's joint venture with SABIC, following regulatory approval from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Thursday preview: Can Kingfisher and Hikma Pharma turn around fortunes?
Thursday will see results from two businesses trying to turn around fortunes after some difficult few months, in the case of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, or years, in the case of Kingfisher.
Bezant Resources aims for profits from Colombia licence in 3 months
Bezant Resources announced on Wednesday the start of commercial production from its FKJ-083 licence in the Choco province of Western Colombia and said it was expecting to reach operational profitability in the next three months.
Epwin Group crashes amid challenging conditions for builders merchants
Epwin Group said first half revenues and operating profits were in line with expectations despite challenging market conditions, particularly in the Repair, Maintenance and Improvement market, but warned on its full-year numbers while noting "changing circumstances" at two clients.
Admiral lifts payout as injury claims costs put brake on profits
Admiral's profits for the first six months of the year were hit by the rising cost of personal injury claims after the government changed the payment calculation, though the insurer surprised some analysts by hiking its half-year pay-dividend.
Sage surges on UBS upgrade, though concerns remain
Accountancy and payroll software company Sage Group was on the receiving end of an upgrade to 'neutral' from UBS on Wednesday.
Carlsberg reiterates guidance despite much improved earnings
Carlsberg is anticipating a much weaker performance in the second half of the year, though the brewer left its full-year profit forecast unchanged.
Quantum leaps after receiving takeover proposal from Clinigen
UK pharmaceutical developer Quantum Pharma announced it had received an indicative proposal of a possible offer for the company from Clinigen Group.
Harvest Minerals says KPfertil test results exceed expectations
Harvest Minerals said test results for its natural fertiliser product, KPfertil, had exceeded the board's expectations, confirming the potential for it to replace more expensive competitors and to become a staple product in the Minas Gerais agricultural belt in Brazil.
Sirius Minerals reassures over fertiliser mine plans as losses grow
In its first results as a FTSE 250 company, Sirius Minerals reported a larger loss as its development of its Woodsmith polyhalite fertiliser mine under the Yorkshire Moors prepares to move to sinking of a first shaft in the new year.
Balfour Beatty swings to first half profit as bid approach yields results
Construction outfit Balfour Beatty swung to a first half pre-tax profit of £12m from a loss of £15m last year as its more selective bidding approach started to yield results.
Lookers remains 'cautious' about car sales despite first-half growth
A decline in sales of new vehicles across the UK, weaker exchange rates and the ongoing uncertainty regarding Brexit have caused motor retailer Lookers to approach the second half of the year with "some caution".
Vectura signs global development agreement with Dynavax
Wiltshire-based pharmaceuticals business Vectura Group announced it had signed an exclusive agreement with NASDAQ listed company Dynavax Technologies.
Hochschild H1 profits take a hit from increased costs
London-based gold and silver miner Hochschild said interim pre-tax profits fell 33. 8% to $39. 9m (£30. 9m) as higher costs hit the bottom line.
Prudential sells US broker dealer business
Prudential has offloaded its US independent broker-dealer network for a fee that could rise to $448m as the life insurer looks to trim the fat.
Banking, healthcare help lift BGEO second quarter
Diversified group BGEO said second-quarter pre-tax profits soared to GEL 128. 1m (£42m) from GEL 46. 5m, aided by an increase in income from its banking and healthcare units.
Amec FW and Interserve win Sellafield reprocessing contract
A joint venture between Amec Foster Wheeler and Interserve has won a framework contract to work on the nuclear reprocessing plants and facilities at Sellafield in Cumbria, worth up to £160m over four years for the pair.
Disposals help CLS to bumper first half
Property investment company CLS Holdings more than trebled first half pre-tax profits to £119. 4m boosted by disposals.
Hunting promotes operations chief Johnson as new CEO
Hunting has promoted operations director Jim Johnson to group chief executive as Dennis Proctor retires from the energy services company at the start of September.