Company News
Laird off to solid start, but second half remains key
Electronic component maker Laird reported strong sales growth in the first quarter of 2017 after a difficult year.
London close: FTSE lower as UK, US growth in Q1 disappoints, sterling up
Stocks in London drifted to a lower close on Friday as a rise in sterling weighed on blue chips and both UK and US preliminary economic growth data disappointed investors on both sides of the Atlantic.
RBS and Lloyds Bank customers hit by online glitch on payday
Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group customers were prevented from accessing money in their accounts due to a technical glitch ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
Renishaw gains on speculation probes may be used in iPhone 8
Stock in Renishaw shot higher on speculation the company's products are likely to be used in Apple's iPhone 8.
Jupiter Energy makes 'solid progress' in first quarter
Jupiter Energy posted its quarterly update on its operations to 31 March on Friday, reporting “solid progress” had been made during the period with the Kazakh Regulatory Authorities in relation to the approval of the three year work programme and trial production licences for the Akkar East and West Zhetybai oilfields.
Stellar Diamonds teams up with Octea Mining in Sierra Leone
West Africa-focussed diamond exploration and development company Stellar Diamonds announced on Friday that it signed a legally binding conditional tribute mining agreement and revenue share agreement with Octea Mining, in respect of the Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite diamond project in eastern Sierra Leone.
Kennedy Wilson confirms quarterly dividend, new office leases
Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate announced it will pay an interim quarterly dividend of 12. 0p per share, while also reporting strong leasing momentum across key investments in Greater London and Dublin.
Morgan Stanley downgrades Berendsen on competition concerns
Berendsen not only needs to invest in property, plant and equipment but is facing increasing competition in the UK, warned Morgan Stanley as it downgraded the stock on Friday.
Full year losses widen at Directa Plus
Graphene-based products producer and supplier Directa Plus announced its full year results for the year to 31 December on Friday, with revenue from graphene sales increasing by 89% to €0. 74m.
Regal Petroleum makes solid progress in Ukraine
Oil and gas exploration and production group Regal Petroleum announced its audited results for the year to 31 December on Friday, with average production from the MEX-GOL and SV fields in Ukraine over the year standing at 1,321 barrels of oil equivalent per day in aggregate, compared to 1,274 boepd in 2015.
Greka Drilling pleased with position despite fall in activity
Asia-focussed independent and specialised unconventional oil and gas driller Greka Drilling announced its annual results for the year to 31 December on Friday, confirming three principal contracted counterparties during the year - Green Dragon Gas and PetroChina Huabei in China, and Essar Oil in India.
Uber to introduce sick pay for drivers, but some will have to pay for it
Ride-hailing tech firm Uber Technologies is to introduce a system to provide its drivers with benefits such as sick and injury pay in the UK after years of criticism of the company’s employment practices.
RBS swings to quarterly profit as share reshuffle paves way for dividend
Royal Bank of Scotland broke into the black in the first quarter of 2017, the first quarterly profit since 2015 as income, costs and margins all improved.
Barclays first quarter profits soar to £1.68bn
First quarter pre-tax profits at Barclays more than doubled to £1. 68bn from £793m, beating analysts expectations as the bank said its restructuring plan was nearly complete.
Air China's Q1 net attributable profit plunges 39.8%
Air China's first-quarter net profit attributable to shareholders plunged 39. 8% to RMB1. 5m, from RMB2. 4m.
Salt Lake Potash shares suspended on ASX
Salt Lake Potash announced on Friday that the trading in its shares had been temporarily suspended on the ASX in Australia at its own request, pending an announcement on a potential further capital raising to investors in that country.
Takeover bid from Japan Tobacco on Imperial Tobacco extremely unlikely, Citi says
A takeover bid for Imperial Tobbaco from its Japanese rival, Japan Tobacco was unlikely, analysts at Citi said.
Action Hotels chairman accepts major regional industry award
Owner, developer and asset manager of branded three and four-star hotels in the Middle East and Australia Action Hotels announced on Friday that H. E. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, founder and chairman of the company, had been awarded the “prestigious” Industry Pioneer Award at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2017.
Tlou Energy makes solid operational progress in Botswana
Botswana and southern Africa-focussed coalbed methane developer and power company Tlou Energy provided an operational report on its Lesedi Project in Botswana for the quarter to 31 March on Friday.
