LONDON: Essentra PLC on Tuesday reported financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2025, with performance meeting the company’s expectations despite continued macroeconomic challenges across global markets. The components and solutions provider posted revenue of £152.4 million, a 1.1% decline on a constant currency basis from £159.7 million in the first half of…
Cardfactory acquires Funky Pigeon in £24 million deal to supercharge UK digital retail growth
LONDON: Greeting card giant cardfactory announced Tuesday it will acquire Funky Pigeon from WH Smith PLC for £24 million. The move signals cardfactory’s intent to become a top-tier omnichannel player in the UK’s celebration occasions market. Funky Pigeon, known for its personalised cards and attached gifting via funkypigeon.com, generated around £32 million in annual revenue…
Australian Foundation Investment Company posts net profit of A$285 million, down 3.9%
MELBOURNE: Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) has announced a fully franked special dividend of 5 cents per share alongside its final dividend, despite posting a slight decline in profit for the fiscal year ended June 30. AFIC reported a net profit of A$285.0 million, down 3.9% from A$296.4 million a year earlier. Revenue from operating…
Aferian Plc swings to profit in H1 2025 on strong amino sales surge; FY outlook raised
LONDON: UK-based video streaming solutions firm Aferian plc (LSE AIM: AFRN) reported a return to profitability in the first half of fiscal 2025, fueled by surging demand for its Amino division and strategic cost restructuring. In unaudited results for the six months ended May 31, Aferian posted a 36% year-over-year jump in revenue to $16.6…
Valterra Platinum posts a 46% drop in EBITDA in six months
LONDON: Valterra Platinum Ltd. reported a 46% drop in EBITDA to R6.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, reflecting lower PGM sales volumes and one-off demerger costs, the company said Monday. Despite two fatalities at Unki and Dishaba mines during the first half, CEO Craig Miller reaffirmed safety as a top priority and…
Avacta Therapeutics announces agreement to sell Coris Bioconcept SRL
LONDON: Avacta Therapeutics (AIM: AVCT), a life sciences company developing innovative, targeted oncology drugs, today announced the sale of Coris Bioconcept SRL to 3B BlackBio Dx Ltd for an upfront cash consideration of £2.15 million (including net cash & customary working capital adjustments) with an additional earn-out based on future business performance of up to…
RTC Group posts steady interim profit as cash flow surges in first half
DERBY: Engineering and technical recruitment firm RTC Group Plc (AIM: RTC.L) reported a resilient set of interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2025, maintaining profit from operations at £1.3 million while delivering a sharp rise in operating cash flow. Group revenue from continuing operations stood at £48.3 million, slightly below £49.0 million…
Science Group soars on Ricardo windfall; Posts record H1 profit
CAMBRIDGE: Science Group plc (AIM: SAG) reported a dramatic surge in first-half profit, fueled primarily by a highly profitable strategic investment, alongside resilient underlying operations despite economic volatility. Key Highlights (H1 2025 vs H1 2024): Operational Performance: While the exceptional Ricardo gain dominated the headline profit, underlying trading showed resilience. Revenue growth was led by…
Morris Group makes bid for Reef Casino Trust offering $184 million
CAIRNS: Reef Casino Trust (ASX:RCT) has received a conditional, non-binding bid from Morris Group, offering approximately A$184 million for all issued units of the trust in an off-market cash takeover. The proposal, submitted through MGGM Cairns No1 Pty Ltd, values each unit at A$3.70 and mirrors the key terms of a prior offer from Iris…
Stealth Group locks in $6 million in iPhone 17 accessory pre-sales, up 50%
PERTH: Stealth Group Holdings Ltd. (ASX: SGI) has secured approximately A$6.0 million in pre-sales for mobile accessories ahead of Apple Inc.’s iPhone 17 launch, a 50% surge compared to the same period last year. The Australian multi-sector distribution company announced Monday that the pre-orders, backed by firm purchase commitments, will be recognized as revenue across…
Velociti powers 70% IRR for Literacy Capital in premium exit deal
LONDON: Literacy Capital plc has completed a significant transaction involving its portfolio company Velociti Solutions, selling its stake and re-investing alongside CBPE at a 52 percent premium to the most recently stated carrying value. Velociti, a software provider to the UK and international bus and rail sectors, was originally acquired as EPM Solutions in February…
FirstGroup has acquired Tetley’s Coaches
LONDON: FirstGroup plc has acquired Tetley’s Motor Services Limited (`Tetley’s Coaches’), a Leeds-based coach and bus operator that has been in operation for over 75 years. Tetley’s Coaches operates from a large depot which it owns in Central Leeds, adjacent to the Group’s existing First Bus Hunslet Park depot. It has a fleet of 55…