Market News - Page 760

NWF Group plc, the Fuels, Food and Feed specialist distribution business, has been notified that Richard Whiting (Group Chief Executive) has sold 47,538 ordinary shares of 25 pence each. Following the sale, Richard Whiting has an interest of 310,767 ordinary shares of the Company representing approximately 0.6% of the issued share capital….

As communicated in the Company's year end results, announced on 5 June 2018, the Company has a solid and profitable foundation for further growth. The Board believes that the ongoing appropriate incentivisation of the management team through share ownership is an important factor for the future success of the Company….

Mark Wilson, Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

Aviva has grown operating earnings per share by 4% and increased the dividend by 10%.
The 10% increase in the interim dividend is our fourth consecutive half-year of double digit dividend growth and further proof of Aviva's progress.
During these choppy market conditions, it is reassuring that Aviva's results are consistent, dependable and growing.
Aviva remains financially strong with a capital surplus of £11 billion. In the first half of 2018, we started a £600 million share buy-back and paid off €500 million of expensive debt.
We remain on track to achieve our financial targets….

Strong financial performance – with double-digit revenue growth in Information Services, LCH and Capital Markets
Revenue up 12% to £953 million (H1 2017: £853 million); total income up 12% to £1,060 million (H1 2017: £946 million)
Adjusted operating profit1 up 21% to £480 million (H1 2017: £398 million),
Adjusted EPS1 up 25% to 88.7 pence (H1 2017: 71.2 pence).
Interim dividend increased 19% to 17.2 pence per share (H1 2017: 14.4 pence per share), in line with stated dividend policy…

Good half year progress: growing confidence for the year…

Harworth Group plc (“Harworth” or the “Company”), a leading land regeneration and property investment specialist, announces that it has sold all five of its built commercial units, totalling 145,248 sq ft, at its Gateway 36 Business Park in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, to Cadogan Income Properties Limited, for £15.8m, reflecting a net initial yield of 4.76% at a price above book value….

Rio Tinto announces $7.2 billion of returns to shareholders comprising
$3.2 billion from operations and $4.0 billion from asset disposals…

James Cropper Plc, the advanced materials and speciality paper group today announces the appointment of Dr Andrew Hosty to the Board as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Dr Hosty has been acting as a consultant to the Board since November 2017….