It’s official: The 25 millionth truck just went through the Eurotunnel March 17, 2017 It won't be long before one truck for every two Britons will have passed under the English Channel, figures from the Eurotunnel indicated today. Eurotunnel said at 3am today the 25 millionth lorry used the Le Shuttle Freight service since it commenced in July 1994. Read more: Eurotunnel smashes traffic record as it posts revenue growth The [...]
Circassia share price flies on news of Astrazeneca partnership March 17, 2017 Shares in Neil Woodford-backed pharmaceuticals firm Circassia rocketed over 30 per cent this morning after the firm announced a $50m (£40.4m) investment from Astrazeneca. Circassia will buy the rights to two of Astrazeneca's pulmonary disease drugs in a deal that values the products at as much as $230m. The FTSE 100 giant will receive $50m of shares in its fellow [...]
Generali cuts costs, returns cash to investors and promises independence March 16, 2017 Generali, one the world's largest insurance firms, today pledged to speed up €200m (£174m) of cost cuts and keep its head below the M&A paraphet. The Italian firm posted its best ever operating profit of €4.8bn, rewarding investors from its cash-rich coffers by hiking its dividend over 11 per cent. Shares in the firm rose over 2.5 per cent in [...]
OneSavings Bank reckons the Co-op Bank sale may fail and is ready to restart talks if it does March 16, 2017 Challenger OneSavings Bank will reignite its interest in buying part of Co-op Bank because it expects the beleaguered lender’s sale of itself to fall through. Co-op Bank previously opened its books to OneSavings, which today reported better than expected annual results. Negotiations were put on ice when Co-op Bank put itself up for sale, after its US hedge fund backers [...]
OneSavings Bank share price falls despite revealing double-digit loan book growth March 16, 2017 Shares in OneSavings Bank fell over 1.5 per cent today despite beating expectations and posting strong growth in its annual figures. The figures Underlying profit before tax rose by 29 per cent to £137m with the number of loans issued swelling by 16 per cent to £5.9bn. Net interest margin increased to 3.14 per cent [...]
Vodafone share price rises on reports it has reignited merger talks with Virgin Media owner Liberty Global March 16, 2017 Vodafone's share price rose over 1.5 per per cent following reports it had rebooted talks with Liberty Global to thrash out a deal that will shake up the British and German operations of the two telecoms giants. Company sources told technology publication The Register that Liberty Global, which owns Virgin Media, will create a joint venture with Vodafone's [...]
21st Century Fox £12bn takeover of Sky has been referred to regulators Ofcom and the CMA by culture secretary Karen Bradley March 16, 2017 The bid by Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox to take over Sky has been referred to regulators by the culture secretary. Karen Bradley confirmed her decision this morning after already announcing she was “minded” to do so. Broadcast regulator Ofcom will examine “public interest considerations” and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) “jurisdiction issues”. Read more: Sky takeover [...]
Wetherspoon’s Tim Martin: Government tax policy is hitting the pub sector and forcing people to drink at home March 16, 2017 Wetherspoon's boss Tim Martin has issued a call to arms to pubs and restaurants in an attempt to convince the government to slash "unfair" taxes levied on the sector. The pub chain founder said tax policy is not only harming the pub sector, it is also forcing poorer people to drink at home as alcohol can [...]
Manx Telecom share price rises after revealing “solid” annual figures March 15, 2017 Manx Telecom, which operates the Isle of Man's telecoms network, today revealed it is generating annual sales equivalent to almost £1,000 per person living on the island. Shares rose one per cent in the wake of the news. The figures Revenue rose by 1.5 per cent to £81m, with underlying earnings of £28m, the same [...]
Robert Walters thankful for overseas operations as it posts record revenue figures but warns on uncertain environment March 15, 2017 Headhunter and outsourcing firm Robert Walters today posted record revenues but warned of an "unpredictable geopolitical environment". Shares rose over one per cent in early trading, with the figures boosted by currency gains from its overseas operations. The figures Revenues grew to £999m, up 23 per cent from £813m in 2015 with gross profit up 19 per [...]
