Company News
Le Pen's long odds attract new punters to French political betting
Gamblers have been piling in to bet on far-right candidate Marine Le Pen wrestling a surprise win over centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron next month, according to bookmakers.
Thursday preview: Dovish ECB expected, WPP could turn cautious
The European Central Bank is forecast to leave its main policies unchanged in its meets this week, following a March meeting when the market made a rather hawkish interpretation of the outcome.
Green & Smart takes out loan as it progresses biogas projects
Malaysia-focussed palm oil mill effluent biogas renewable energy generator Green & Smart Holdings announced on Wednesday that it entered into a 12 month loan of approximately MYR 1. 41m (£0. 25m) with an unnamed UK-based lender at an interest rate of 1% per month.
Aura Energy makes strong progress on Tiris study
Aura Energy advised on Wednesday that the various elements of the Tiris Definitive Feasibility Study were continuing to progress “strongly”, with activity in all the principal areas of the study.
Obtala commits to a number of social goals in Tanzania
Africa-focussed agriculture and forestry company Obtala announced on Wednesday that it signed a letter of intent expressing the company's commitment to build sustainable and inclusive business in Tanzania through investment activities associated with the ‘Grow Africa’ partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Vela Tech subscribes for 1.1m more Rosslyn shares
Early-stage and pre-IPO focussed disruptive technology investment company Vela Technologies announced on Wednesday that it conditionally subscribed for 1,111,111 ordinary shares in Rosslyn Data Technologies, an existing investee company, at 4. 5p per share for a consideration of £50,000.
AIB fined over €2.0m ahead of stock market debut
Allied Irish Banks has been hit with a €2. 225m fine by the Irish Central Bank with the state-owned bank’s flotation on the London Stock Exchange just weeks away.
Small cap news round-up
Glanbia is to sell a 60% stake in its Irish dairy business, to Glanbia Co-operative Society for €112m.
GSK slips despite strong first quarter debut for Emma Walmsley
GlaxoSmithKline's new chief executive Emma Walmsley reported a strong first set of quarterly results, as the drug group grew sales better than forecast, improved profit margins and kept its dividend on track.
Mariana Resources rockets on merger proposal with Sandstorm
Mariana Resources has agreed to merge with US based royalty company Sandstorm, which sees the AIM-listed explorer's shares valued at 109. 71p and would see its shareholders own 19% of the enlarged group.
Oxford Instruments to sell division to Hitachi High-Technologies
High technology solutions, information and services provider Oxford Instruments announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to sell its Industrial Analysis business to Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (HHT) for a consideration of £80m on a cash and debt free basis.
Glanbia to sell 60% stake in Irish dairy business
Glanbia is to sell a 60% stake in its Irish dairy business, to Glanbia Co-operative Society for €112m.
Crawshaw Group enters into supply chain deal with 2 Sisters Food Group
Shares in Crawshaw Group tumbled after the butcher announced it has entered into a supply chain partnership with 2 Sisters Food Group, one of Europe's largest meat and food producers.
Results round-up: GlaxoSmithKline, Redefine International
GlaxoSmithKline's new chief executive Emma Walmsley reported a strong first set of quarterly results, as the drug group grew sales better than forecast, improved profit margins and kept its dividend on track.
Broker tips: Bellway, Savills, Merlin Entertainments, Sky, oil companies, Severn Trent
Peel Hunt upgraded Bellway to 'add' from 'hold' and went the other way on Savills as it took a look at UK housebuilders and estate agents.
Walker Greenbank FY profit rises, divi bumped up
Luxury interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank posted a jump in full-year profit and upped its dividend on Wednesday.
Petards order book strong, chairman tells investors
Investors in security and surveillance system software developer Petards were gathering in Guildford, Surrey on Wednesday morning for the company’s annual general meeting, with chairman Raschid Abdullah confirming a previously-flagged significant order.
Metro Bank disappoints despite record deposit growth
Metro Bank welcomed record deposits and grew lending 11% in the first quarter but its key net interest margin slipped slightly.
Fox Marble signs first Turkey supply deal
Kosovo and Balkans-focussed marble quarrying and finishing company Fox Marble announced on Wednesday that it entered into a minimum €0. 4m sales agreement with Simsekler Mermer Company, one of Turkey's largest natural stone groups, to supply its IIIirico Selene and Sivec marble product.
Drax Group completes $35m acquisition of Louisiana Pellets
Electrical power generation company Drax Group has completed the acquisition of Louisiana Pellets for $35. 4m, following a court hearing to approve the result of an auction.