Engineer Costain Group (COST) wins contract for roads of the future as it trials technology for self-driving cars. Costain is trialling technology that will see information about surrounding road conditions beamed directly into vehicles. The technology will at first be used to help drivers react faster to situations, but it is hoped it will eventually be used to help self-driving cars respond automatically to road conditions.
Persimmon (PSN) – whose boss was dubbed ‘Mr £131million’ over the potential size of his bonus – said it sold 4,000 homes to families using government-backed Help to Buy loans in the first half of this year. The figure represented about 60% of homes the company sold to private buyers, boosting its sales in the period to £1.8billion and profits to £516million.
hands out record £5bn dividend as higher production pushes up sales and profits. Investors in the global miner will get a final dividend of 63 cents per share (about 50p), taking total dividend payments for the year to £5billion or 118 cents per share (about 92p). It also plans to return to shareholders the proceeds from its recent £8billion sale of shale assets in the US to BP.
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) boss accused of taking eye off the ball ahead of Asda deal as sales continue to lag behind rivals. Sainsbury’s was the worst performing in the 12 weeks to August 12. Sales at Sainsbury’s were up just 1.2%, while Tesco gained 1.8%, Asda 2.6% and Morrisons 2.7%
Wife of Cranswick (CWK) chairman cashes in more than half a million pounds worth of shares. Linda Davey sold 15,000 shares at 3340p each ‘for personal reasons’, landing her £501,000, according to a stock exchange filing.
Hostelworld Group (HSW) foreign bookings fall as Brits enjoy the sun at home. Shares in Hostelworld tumbled after it revealed that families shunned foreign summer holidays and soaked up the sun at home. The online booking website’s boss Gary Morrison warned there had been a ‘softness in bookings in the peak summer months’ as the heatwave and World Cup dented demand.
Fishing for growth: Angling Direct (ANG) continues to open shops across the UK as sales rise. Angling Direct has reeled in a 56% boost to revenues as it continues to open shops across the UK. Sales at the fishing tackle firm hit £21.9million in the six months to July 31 as the heatwave during the summer months and heavy snow earlier in the year failed to deter anglers.
Game Digital (GMD) loses a life as sales nudge down but cost cutting and e-sports are helping it reach the next level. Sales at the gaming retailer are set to slip a marginal 0.3% to £780m for the year. The firm said its gross profits will remain under pressure as 2nd hand sales slow. Game is trying to reduce its exposure to retail and grow its new events arm
Investors deal fresh blow to estate agent Countrywide (CWD) as fewer than expected show interest in buying new shares. The company, which owns chains such as Bairstow Eves and Frank Innes, revealed that only 72.3% of the shares it had offered to the public were scooped up.
Wood Group (John) (WG.) had a much stronger day. Its shares climbed 7.7%, or 50.6p, to 712p as chief executive Robin Watson said performance in the first half of the year was ‘at the upper end of our guidance range’. Investors seemed to be focusing on the positives, such as the ahead-of-schedule integration of Amec Foster Wheeler, which Wood Group bought last year.
Marechale Capital (MAC) had to reconsider its direction. Shares in the company crashed 29.5%, or 0.65p, to 1.55p as it revealed its revenues were down 35.5% to £675,000.
