€1.1 billion free cash flow and resilient margins underscore financial strength despite currency headwinds LONDON: Unilever posted underlying sales growth of 3.4% for the first half of 2025, bolstering investor confidence for stronger full-year performance. First half highlights: Despite external headwinds including adverse currency movements and net disposals, the consumer goods giant delivered volume-led growth,…
JTC Plc to acquire Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company for £20 million
LONDON: JTC Plc, the global professional services business, announced the proposed acquisition of Kleinwort Hambros Trust Company (CI) Limited and its subsidiaries (together KHT), which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Union Bancaire Privée, UBP SA (UBP), for total consideration of £20 million, which will be settled in cash. KHT is expert in providing trust and estate…
Brookfield’s BWS Holdings makes £2.4 billion bid to acquire UK’s Just Group
LONDON: Brookfield Wealth Solutions (BWS) is making a bold move into the UK insurance market. On Wednesday, BWS Holdings Ltd.—via its subsidiary Bidco—announced a £2.4 billion all-cash offer to acquire the entirety of Just Group PLC, a British retirement-focused insurer. The acquisition will be executed through a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under the UK’s Companies…
Bouygues posts solid first-half results despite tax impact
Group confirms full-year 2025 outlook amid macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties PARIS: Bouygues reported robust first-half 2025 results with sales rising 1.3% year-on-year to €26.9bn, supported primarily by momentum in the construction sector and Equans. Current operating profit from activities (COPA) climbed €49m to €796m, while net profit attributable to the Group—excluding France’s exceptional income tax…
Technip Energies reports robust H1 2025 results, raises TPS margin guidance
Company posted a 15% increase in consolidated revenue, reaching €3.6 billion, while recurring EBITDA rose 13% to €319 million PARIS: Technip Energies reported strong unaudited financial results for the first half of 2025, underscoring its continued momentum and strategic progress in energy infrastructure and decarbonization. The company posted a 15% year-over-year increase in consolidated revenue,…
Stocks retreat after Fed leaves rates unchanged; Tariff impact still unclear
Dow Jones slides 300 points as Powell tempers rate cut expectations amid tariff concerns Stocks fell Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dashed hopes for near-term interest rate cuts, indicating the central bank is still evaluating the inflationary impact of higher tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The S&P 500 lost 0.3% after gaining…
Hargreaves Services posts double-digit growth amid HRMS revival and dividend boost
Revenue rose 25.2% to £264.4 million, while EBITDA climbed 29.1% to £33.7 million LONDON: Hargreaves Services plc (AIM: HSP), the diversified industrial and property services group, reported preliminary results for the year ended 31 May 2025 showing significant growth in revenue and EBITDA, alongside a return to profitability in its HRMS joint venture and a…
Foxtons Group reports fifth consecutive year of progress as adjusted operating profit jumps 31%
LONDON: Foxtons Group plc (LSE: FOXT) reported robust interim results for the first half of 2025, underlining continued momentum in its multi-year growth strategy. Revenues rose by 10% year-on-year to £86.1m, while adjusted operating profit surged 31% to £12.3m. Profit before tax climbed 35%, reaching £10.2m. The Group benefited from resilient performance across its core…
Man Group posts record AUM on back of strong inflows, despite market headwinds
Group reported record assets under management (AUM) of $193.3bn for the six months LONDON: Man Group Plc reported record assets under management (AUM) of $193.3bn for the six months ended 30 June 2025, reflecting net inflows of $17.6bn—11.5% ahead of industry benchmarks—amid what it described as “one of the most challenging periods for trend-following strategies…
Taylor Wimpey reports resilient H1 results amid market headwinds
The housebuilder recorded Group operating profit of £161 million, compared with £182.3 million a year earlier LONDON: Taylor Wimpey plc on Wednesday reported a resilient trading performance for the first half of 2025, bolstered by an 11% increase in Group completions despite deteriorating conditions in the UK housing market. The housebuilder recorded Group operating profit…
Conduit Holdings reports interim loss amid portfolio realignment and catastrophe events
Company reported a comprehensive loss of $13.5 million for the six months ending 30 June 2025 LONDON: Conduit Holdings Limited, the Bermuda-based parent of reinsurance specialist Conduit Re, today reported a comprehensive loss of $13.5 million for the six months ending 30 June 2025, as it embarks on a strategic transformation to enhance portfolio resilience…
Franchise Brands delivers strong H1 performance amid challenging backdrop
Company posts 2.5% rise in system sales to £209.4 million, with profit before tax advancing 9.6% to £11.7 million LONDON: Franchise Brands PLC (AIM: FRAN), the international multi-brand franchise group, reported resilient interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025, underscoring its operational agility and robust cash generation despite geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds….