-- Oil and gas company Star Energy (STAR.L) conditionally raised 8.5 million pounds sterling in gross proceeds through a share placing, and announced a retail offer.
The retail offer is expected to raise gross proceeds of up to 600,000 pounds, with up to 4 million new shares being offered at 0.15 pound apiece. The results are due on May 7, according to a Friday filing.
Zeus Capital is serving as Star Energy's nominated adviser, broker and bookrunner. VSA Capital is the agent for the placing.
Meiwa's (TYO:8103) profit attributable to owners of the parent declined 0.1% to 3.37 billion yen in fiscal year 2025 from 3.38 billion yen a year earlier.The Japanese trading company's basic earnings per share increased to 83.99 yen from 83.28 yen a year ago, according to a Tokyo bourse filing on Thursday.Net sales increased 5.2% to 164.9 billion yen for the year ended March 31, from 156.7 billion yen in the previous fiscal year.Meiwa declared a final dividend of 42 yen per share.For fiscal year 2026, the company expects attributable profit of 3.7 billion yen, basic EPS of 93.53 yen, and net sales of 170 billion yen.Shares of Meiwa rose nearly 3% at market close.
The AI-boom played out in South Korea's trade picture in April, with exports rising 48% on year, driven by surging shipments of semiconductors, reported the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) on Friday.South Korea exports reached $85.89 billion in April, led by shipments of chips, which rose 173.5% on year to $31.9 billion, according to officials. Outbound shipments in April rose for the 11th-straight month.South Korea computer and parts exports rose five-fold to $4.08 billion, the highest monthly figure ever, as global demand for solid-state drives spiked in the AI-boom.The April export level marked South Korea's second-highest monthly export figure ever, on the heels of the all-time high of $86.6 billion figure recorded in March.South Korea auto exports dropped 5.5% on year to $6.17 billion in April, due to shipping disruptions caused by the Mideast crisis, and to South Korean automakers expanding of production in the US to meet Washington trade policies, MOTIR said, reported the The Korea Herald newspaper.Exports to the Middle East declined 25.1% on-year in April, to $1.27 billion, hampered by the war between the US and Iran, the ministry said.On the import side, nation's inbound shipments rose 16.7% on-year in April to $62.11 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $23.77 billion, reported MOTIR.
Fitch on Thursday affirmed Vallourec's (VK.PA) BBB- long-term issuer default rating with a stable outlook.The French steel tubes manufacturer's ratings mirror its conservative financial policy, key production hubs and value-enhancing strategy, among others.The action also incorporates the company's strong position in the seamless tubes market, focus on value over volume, ongoing cost reduction and footprint optimization measures.