Further weakness in the pound fails to dampen UK domestic stocks with the FTSE 250 index holding ground at 18,005. The FTSE 100 also treads water, nudging ahead a mere three points to 7,048.
William Hill (WMH) is considering an all-share merger with Canadian gambling group Amaya, best known for its Full Tilt and Pokerstars websites. William Hill has been struggling on the digital side while Amaya has had to battle a reputational issue after its former CEO was accused of insider trading. The news sends William Hill shares up 5% to 309.33p.
A month after issuing a severe profit warning, Mitie (MTO) says its chief executive Ruby McGregor-Smith is to leave the business at the end of 2016 after nine years at the top. She will be replaced by Phil Bentley, the former boss of Cable & Wireless Communications. Its shares rise 1.3% to 196.7p
Chrome and platinum producer Tharisa (THS) has reported record fourth quarter production figures with higher than expected platinum group metals output. Chrome prices increased by approximately 50% in the three month period, giving a major boost to Tharisa’s earnings. The miner is up 35% to 105p since we highlighted its attractions as an investment in the 29 September 2016 issue of Shares.
BHP Billiton (BLT) has offered to buy a 10% stake in copper explorer SolGold (SOLG:AIM) for $30m, but the target says the deal is inferior to an existing investment proposal from Maxit and Newcrest.
Amino Technologies (AMO:AIM) jumps 6.4% to 149p as it says trading is ahead of expectations driven by record orders in Augustu and favourable foreign exchange effects.
Ultra Electronics (ULE) rises 1.7% to £18.77 after winning an $82m contract for control and monitoring of US Navy critical infrastructure.
There is a shake-up at Metal Tiger (MTR:AIM) with chief executive Paul Johnson being demoted to consultant for its asset trading arm and helping with public relations work. Non-executive director Alex Borrelli becomes the chief executive, despite already being the CEO and chairman of another AIM-quoted miner, BMR Group (BMR:AIM).
Surface Transforms (SCE:AIM) falls 6.6% to 24.98p saying it expects losses for its new financial year to be worse than previously expected.
Just Eat (JE.) has invested £3.5m in hospitality industry tech business Flypay which is 38% owned by Time Out (TMO:AIM).
Digital Barriers (DGB:AIM) has struck a deal whereby FTSE 100 security group G4S (GFS) will use its special camera ThruVis that can detect weapons or explosives concealed under clothing.
