Ian Walker, The Wall Street Journal Journalist Profile

Articles

Bunzl Cuts Guidance, Pauses Share-Buyback Program on North American Business Softness

1 month ago | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Bunzl BNZL 1.18%increase; green up pointing triangle has cut its guidance for the year and paused its share-buyback program given the uncertain macroenvironment and resulting margin pressure in its North American business. The London-listed distribution-and-outsourcing group said Wednesday that it expects moderate revenue growth this year at constant exchange rates, driven by announced acquisitions and broadly flat underlying revenue.
STMicroelectronics Supervisory Board Expresses Support For Management

1 month ago | marketscreener.com | Ian Walker

By Ian Walker STMicroelectronics' supervisory board said it supports the management team, including Chief Executive Jean-Marc Chery and Chief Financial Officer Lorenzo Grandi. The European chip maker's comments followed press reports saying that the Italian government was withdrawing support for Chery and the management team after the board rejected Italy's nomination of Marcello Sala to its supervisory board. The comments were attributed to Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.
Assura Grants Extension to KKR Consortium Takeover Deadline

2 months ago | uk.marketscreener.com | Ian Walker

Assura said the deadline for the KKR and Stonepeak Partners consortium to make an offer for the company has been extended so that the parties can continue talks and the due diligence process. The London-listed property business said Friday that the deadline for the consortium to either make an offer for it or walk away has been extended to April 11 from today.
Roche Agrees to Develop Weight-Loss Therapy With Zealand Pharma

2 months ago | wsj.com | Ian Walker

March 12, 2025 2:49 am ETRoche Holding agreed a collaboration and licensing deal with Zealand Pharma to co-develop a weight-loss treatment using its CT-388 medicine combined with Zealand Pharma’s petrelintide. The Swiss pharmaceutical company said Wednesday that under the deal it will make an upfront cash payment of $1.65 billion to Zealand Pharma and a further $1.2 billion in development milestones upon late-stage trials starting, as well as sales-based milestones of $2.4 billion.
Boohoo to Rebrand as Debenhams in Turnaround Plan

2 months ago | wsj.com | Ian Walker

March 11, 2025 4:20 am ETBoohoo BOO -0.37%decrease; red down pointing triangle Group said it plans to change its name to Debenhams Group after the successful turnaround of the business it bought out of administration in 2021, and set out medium-term growth targets.
Aramco Expects Lower 2025 Dividend After Net Income Fall

Mar 4, 2025 | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Aramco said it expects to pay lower shareholder returns in 2025 after a fall in net profit last year. Saudi Arabian Oil Co., known as Aramco, said net income for 2024 fell to $106.2 billion from $121.3 billion in 2023. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Ashtead to Proceed With Proposed U.S. Listing Switch

Feb 11, 2025 | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Ashtead AHT 0.99%increase; green up pointing triangle Group plans to proceed with a switch of its main listing to the U.S. as flagged in December, marking a further blow to the London bourse. The FTSE 100-listed equipment rental company said Tuesday that it has discussed the rationale of a move with a wide variety of shareholders who are supportive of the plan. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Legal & General to Sell U.S. Protection Business in $2.3 Billion Deal

Feb 7, 2025 | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Legal & General LGEN 1.36%increase; green up pointing triangle Group is selling its U.S. protection business to long-term partner Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance in a deal that values the unit at $2.3 billion. The FTSE 100-listed insurance company said Friday that it expects to return an extra 1.0 billion pounds ($1.24 billion) to shareholders via buybacks upon completion of the deal.
Legal & General to Sell U.S. Insurance Businesses in $2.3 Billion Deal

Feb 7, 2025 | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Legal & General LGEN 5.40%increase; green up pointing triangle Group is selling its U.S. protection and pension risk transfer businesses to long-term partner Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance in a deal that values them at $2.3 billion. The FTSE 100-listed insurance company said Friday that it expects to return 1.0 billion pounds ($1.24 billion) of the funds to shareholders via buybacks upon completion of the deal.
Danske Bank Launches New $695.8 Million Share Buyback as Earnings Beat Own Forecast

Feb 7, 2025 | wsj.com | Ian Walker

Danske Bank has launched a new 5 billion Danish kroner ($695.8 million) share buyback as it reported a rise in net profit for last year that beat its own forecast, and said it is well-positioned for future growth. The Copenhagen-based bank said Friday that net profit for the year was 23.63 billion kroner compared with 21.26 billion kroner a year prior, and a company forecast of between 22.5 billion and 23.5 billion kroner. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.