UK Labor Market Could Be Showing Tentative Signs of Softening

0803 GMT - U.K.'s labor market data for April and May suggest that worker shortages aren't actively getting worse, ING developed markets economist James Smith says in a note. The sharp rise in vacancies seen in 2H 2021 seems to be peaking, and the single-month data showed a decline in employment for April, he says. However, still high levels of inactivity due to long-term sickness rates aren't set to improve in the short-term and will continue to contribute to worker shortages, Smith says. "This is further ammunition for Bank of England hawks this Thursday, though we still suspect the overall committee will favour another 25-basis-points hike over a 50-basis-points move," he says. (xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com)


 
Companies News: 

Entain to Acquire BetCity for up to EUR850 Mln

Entain PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire BetEnt BV from Sports Entertainment Media BV for an initial consideration of 300 million euros ($312.2 million) and a deferred conditional consideration of up to EUR550 million.

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ITV Buys 79.5% of Plimsoll Productions for GBP103.5M to Expand International Business

ITV PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy a majority interest in Plimsoll Productions for around 103.5 million pounds ($125.6 million) to further its strategy of expanding its international content business.

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Bunzl to Buy Hygi, a German Online Distributor of Cleaning and Hygiene Products

Bunzl PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy Hygi.de, a German online distributor of cleaning and hygiene products, for an undisclosed sum.

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Revolution Bars Sees FY 2022 Ebitda Slightly Above Top End of Views

Revolution Bars Group PLC said Tuesday that it expects to deliver adjusted Ebitda after rental changes slightly ahead of the top end of market expectations for fiscal 2022.

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Ashtead FY 2022 Pretax Profit Rose; Increases Dividend

Ashtead Group PLC on Tuesday reported an increase in pretax profit for fiscal 2022, and raised its dividend.

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Bellway Sees Strong 2H Demand; FY 2022 Home Completions Rising

Bellway PLC said Tuesday that it has seen strong sales demand in the second half of fiscal 2022 to date, and it expects full-year housing completions to rise.

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Eco Atlantic Terminates Acquisition of JHI

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. said Tuesday that it has terminated the acquisition of JHI Associates Inc., the owner of a 17.5% stake in the Canje block offshore Guyana.

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Altus Strategies Agrees to Merge With Canada's Elemental Royalties

Altus Strategies PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to merge with Canada's Elemental Royalties Corp. in a deal that will give shareholders 47.1% of the enlarged group.

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Condor Gold Raises GBP3.3 Mln to Progress La India Project in Nicaragua

Condor Gold PLC said Tuesday that it has completed a private share placement for 3.3 million pounds ($4 million) to fund a feasibility study for its La India gold project in Nicaragua.

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Frontier Developments Sees Record Revenue, Lower Adjusted Ebitda for FY 2022

Frontier Developments PLC said Tuesday that it expects to report record revenue and lower adjusted Ebitda for fiscal 2022 after a strong end to the year.

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SDX Energy Says Production Remains Above Guidance

SDX Energy PLC said Tuesday that its oil-and-gas production was above guidance in the first five months of the year.

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Sovereign Metals Shares Halted on ASX Ahead of Kasiya Project Study in Malawi

Sovereign Metals Ltd. said Tuesday that its shares have been suspended from trading on the Australian Securities Exchange ahead of an announcement relating to an expanded scoping study at the Kasiya project in Malawi.

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Aferian Says 1H Revenue Edged Down as Device Sales Fell 8%

Aferian PLC said Tuesday that its first-half revenue will be slightly lower, with fewer device sales offsetting growth in software and services.

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ITV Buys 79.5% of Plimsoll Productions for GBP103.5M to Expand International Business -- Update

ITV PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy a majority interest in Plimsoll Productions for around 103.5 million pounds ($125.6 million) to further its strategy of expanding its international content business.

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Crest Nicholson Swung to 1H Pretax Loss on Exceptional Charge; Revenue Rose

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC said Tuesday that it swung to a pretax loss for the first half of fiscal 2022 on exceptional charges, though revenue rose.

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Games Workshop Group Sees Higher FY 2022 Pretax Profit, Revenue

Games Workshop Group PLC said Tuesday that it expects to post an increased pretax profit and revenue for fiscal 2022.

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Open Orphan Signs GBP7.2 Mln Antiviral Product Testing Contract

Open Orphan PLC said Tuesday that it has signed a 7.2 million pounds ($8.7 million) contract with a global pharmaceutical company to test its orally administered antiviral product.

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Synectics Expects Revenue Growth, Swing to 1H Operating Profit

Synectics PLC said Tuesday that it expects a swing to an operating profit for the first half of fiscal 2022 on the back of revenue growth and gathering momentum in its end markets.

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FirstGroup FY 2022 Pretax Profit Rose; Performance in Line With Views

FirstGroup PLC said Tuesday that pretax profit for fiscal 2022 rose, and that its current performance is in line with the board's expectations.

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Paragon Banking Group 1H Pretax Profit Rose, Extends Buyback Program

Paragon Banking Group PLC said Tuesday that pretax profit rose for the first half of fiscal 2022 and that it has raised its dividend payout and extended its share buyback program.

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Kelsian Group Urges Go-Ahead Shareholders to Reject Gerard Consortium Takeover

Kelsian Group Ltd. on Tuesday urged shareholders of transport company Go-Ahead Group PLC to reject the 647.7 million-pound ($785.9 million) agreed takeover by Gerard Investment Bidco Ltd. announced late on Monday.


 
Market Talk: 

Ashtead Looks Able to Maintain Attractive Organic Growth

0753 GMT - Ashtead Group's solid fourth-quarter performance saw it record Ebitda 2% above consensus, while difficult comparables have led to its 2023 guidance being below previous levels, Citi analysts say in a research note. The analysts note that its partially owned equipment rental company Sunbelt is better-placed than its peers to adjust pricing faster as inflation looms. "We admire Ashtead's ability to sustain attractive organic top-line growth, its potential to consolidate markets and track record of delivering double digit EPS compound annual growth rate," they add. Citi reiterates a buy recommendation on the stock. Shares are up 0.6% at 3,828.0 pence. (michael.susin@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-14-22 0419ET