Afren shares have been suspended July 15, 2015 Shares in embattled oil producer Afren were suspended this morning as uncertainty regarding its financial position left it unable to accurately update the market. The Nigeria-focused company's shares were suspended at 7.30am by the Financial Conduct Authority at the request of the oil producer pending an announcement. Afren later said that an ongoing business review [...]
Britain facing winter of blackouts as National Grid warns of tightest power supply in a decade July 15, 2015 Britain could be facing a winter of blackouts, with National Grid warning of the tightest winter power supplies in a decade. The country now has just 1.2 per cent of spare capacity in the system, down from 4.1 per cent last year, according to the winter review and consultation showed. It is mostly because [...]
First quarter sales lift at Burberry despite drag from Asian markets as chief executive Christopher Bailey braces for more shareholder dissent July 15, 2015 Having lowered full-year guidance in May, Burberry posted underlying retail sales for eight per cent in the three months to the end of June, up eight per cent from the first quarter of last year. The figures Burberry pointed out that the first quarter is "historically the smallest for retail", so that eight per cent uplift [...]
Barclays is still months from hiring new chief executive after Antony Jenkins sacking July 14, 2015 Barclays, which abruptly sacked chief executive Antony Jenkins last Wednesday, might have to wait six months for a permanent replacement. The bank’s deputy chairman Sir Mike Rake told City A.M. yesterday: “We will take the time to find the person with the right level of experience. It will take a few months, but we would [...]
Strong UK job market boosts profit for recruiter Michael Page July 14, 2015 A booming British jobs market has raised the earnings of recruiter Michael Page. Over the first half of the year its UK gross profit was 12 per cent higher compared with the same period last year, the company said yesterday. “The market has been consistently strong all year, with good levels of demand and candidate [...]
FirstGroup off track after UK franchise losses and drop in oil prices July 14, 2015 Rail and bus company FirstGroup has warned its revenue is likely to disappoint in the year ahead after the loss of key UK contracts while low oil prices hit business in North America. Its UK rail division recorded like-for-like passenger revenue growth of 6.3 per cent in the three months ending 30 June. But it said [...]
Dairy Crest finds the right baby formula as project nears finish line July 14, 2015 Dairy Crest said yesterday that is was near to completing a project to make two crucial ingredients found in baby formula that it seeks to sell into the £7bn Chinese market. The Cathedral cheese-maker struck a deal with New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra last year to sell whey – the key ingredient in baby formula [...]
Derwent London buys back 1 Oxford Street as part of Crossrail agreement July 14, 2015 Derwent London has signed a new 150-year lease agreement with Crossrail on a £400m office and shopping development above Tottenham Court Road station. The developer is effectively buying back the site at 1 Oxford Street after having to surrender it in 2009 to Crossrail. Derwent will receive £55m on completion of scheme in around 2020. [...]
Building services group ISG is hit by another £10.5m of costs July 14, 2015 ISG warned yesterday that it expects to book another £10.5m in costs after problematic contracts forced the building services group to issue a shock profit warning in February. In a trading update for the year to 30 June, the Aim-listed firm said it has set aside £5.5m to wind down its luxury construction services arm [...]
IAG takeover of Aer Lingus given the green light by European Commission July 14, 2015 International Consolidated Airlines Group's (IAG) takeover of Aer Lingus has been given the final go-ahead by European competition regulators. Read more: Ryanair share price up after approving IAG’s offer for Aer Lingus stake The European Commission has cleared the €1.36bn (£960m) takeover following "commitments offered by the parties". British Airways owner IAG agreed to relinquish five daily slot [...]