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Lamprell shares jump as recovery takes hold: Oil-rig maker Lamprell has reported a sharp rise in annual profits as the Dubai-based business looks to put a difficult period behind it. Pretax profits jumped from $37.8 million to $93.7 million in the year to December. Jim Moffat, an industry veteran with more than 35 years’ experience, took the reins in March 2013, and has spent the past two years getting Lamprell back on an even keel and focused on its oil-rig-making core business. Mr Moffat described 2014 as an “exceptional year” and he believes things are now looking up. Lamprell has also put its finances on a much sounder footing, having completed a $120 million rights issue last year and refinancing of the debt pile on better terms. Lamprell’s shares are looking cheap trading on nine times forecast earnings. However, there is a word of caution because, while sales and profits increased last year, the trade and receivables, or debtors, also increased. That is because Lamprell is in a construction phase and recognises profits while work is undertaken but before full payment is received. Lamprell at 122p. Questor Says ‘Hold’.

The flight from the North Sea continues: E.on, the German energy giant, is preparing to pull out of the North Sea, exacerbating an exodus of explorers from the region as it battles a slump in oil prices.

Inflation to hit zero as Bank mulls rate cut: Britain’s inflation rate is close to zero, official figures will reveal this week, intensifying the debate on interest rates and putting the economy on track for its first spell of deflation in more than 50 years.

Sabadell eyes more U.K. takeovers after TSB deal: Spain’s fifth biggest bank is to use its planned acquisition of TSB as a step to buy smaller banks in Britain.

Oil prices ended higher last week, amid a weak US Dollar and after data indicated that the number of US rigs actively drilling for oil declined last week. Earlier during the week, the commodity was pressurised amid concerns of a global glut in oil supply after Kuwait's Oil Minister Ali al-Omair stated that OPEC needed to maintain its oil production to keep its market share intact. Moreover, speculation arose that Iran might soon boost its oil exports after reaching a nuclear program deal. Meanwhile, the EIA and API reported an increase in weekly US oil inventories. Brent crude oil prices climbed 0.6% to $55.32/barrel.

Gfinity show cased on Sky Digital programme on Sky New Channel at 10.30am for 10 minutes with a 2 minute interview with Neville Upton ; the CEO of Gifinity plus commentary on the size of the sport known as Esports globally as well as its popularity in Brazil, South Korea, Germany and growing interest in UK and elsewhere amongst primarily uner 40s age group. The key audience and players are in the 13-35 age and 11-28 age groups respectively according to this programme.

Fashion retailer Next's trading model is still solid but prospects of a reduced profit stream from credit customers, the company's admission that UK Directory may now be ex-growth and lowered guidance on sales, will lead markets to reassess the potential for the stock, analysts at Canaccord Genuity wrote on Friday. Analysts David Jeary and Mark Photiades reiterated their belief that the shares should be a core holding, thanks to its philosophy of continual enhancement of the Next brand. While the lowered sales guidance is in line with management's conservative style, when combined the above factors mean that total shareholder returns (TSR) of 9% can be expected. That is attractive but well below the between 18% to 25% increases seen over the fiscal years 2011 to 2015. The analysts write that: "If such a TSR were to become the new normal, we believe the shares would likely struggle to maintain the traditional premium to sector and peers enjoyed over recent years."

Rental yields fall in H2 Research from BM Solutions reveals that average gross rental yields fell slightly in H2 2014, despite average rents increasing over the same period. The figures show that average yields fell from 5.5% in the first half of 2014 to 5.3% in H2, with average rent rising from £707pm to £718pm in the same period (up 1.5%). A distinct north/south divide remains, with the highest rental yields found in the North (6.8%), while the lowest rental yields were found in London (4.7%). Conversely, average rents in London are the highest in the UK at £1,422pm, almost double the national average, and an increase of £57pm over the year. "Demand for private rental accommodation remains strong, which continues to push rental prices up," said Phil Rickards, head of BM Solutions. "However our figures show that even with increasing rental prices, the average yield investors receive has eased, driven by the increase in prices for buy-to-let properties

British Land Co Plc (BLND.L) Announced that it has completed a £733 million property exchange transaction with Tesco. Under the terms of the transaction, British Land has sold its 50% interest in a joint venture portfolio of 21 stand-alone foodstores to Tesco and acquired Tesco's 50% interest in two joint venture portfolios predominately comprising Tesco-anchored shopping centres and retail parks. British Land would make a net cash payment of £96 million to Tesco reflecting the difference in net asset value (including mark to market on debt) for Aqua (£81 million) and the combined TBLH and TBLPP joint ventures (£177 million).

Berkeley Group Holdings (The) Plc (BKG.L) Announced, in its interim management statement covering the period from 1 November 2014 to 28 February 2015, that with the return to normal trading conditions over the course of this financial year from a high point in 2013, the group continues to see good demand for new homes in London and the South of England. Berkeley has also continued to make good progress on its land holdings in the period. The Group is currently ungeared, with some £400 million of net cash following the payment of £122 million of dividends in January 2015. Berkeley reiterates its current intention to meet a proportion of the next milestone of £4.33 per share by September 2018 through regular dividends. On the outlook front, the board reiterates its previous guidance on full year earnings for the next three years to 30 April 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has appointed a new chief executive, promoting the managing director of its digital arm, Jim Mullen. He will take over from Richard Glynn 1 April 2015. Prior to working at Ladbrokes, Mullen was COO of online operations at William Hill.

Exploration outfit Tullow Oil has been granted access to increased financing to support its activities on more secure terms from lenders. Lenders' commitments under its six-monthly Reserve Based Lend (RBL) have been increased by $200m, while lenders have committed an additional $250m under the company's corporate credit facility, to reach $1bn. The covenants on both sources of financing were amended to address the risk of potential breaches in case of oil price volatility.

Shell has sold off a portion of its upstream assets in Nigeria for $737m cash to local operator Eroton Exploration & Production. The Anglo Dutch oil giant, which last year said it lost nearly $1bn from the rampant oil theft and sabotage in Nigeria, offloaded its 30% interest in oil mining lease 18 and related facilities in the Eastern Niger Delta.

Budget changes good for future of North Sea says oil company: North Sea-focused Enquest has said tax changes in The Budget will help safeguard the future of the area and make it more attractive to invest in older fields in U.K. waters.

Smiths Group expects lower oil prices to impact trading: Smiths Group has warned that trading at its biggest business could be hit by a slowdown in spending by oil and gas customers adjusting to lower oil prices.

BAT shares hit by Bloomberg anti-smoking fund: Shares in British American Tobacco are among the biggest losers on the London stock market after news of a $4 million (£2.7 million) anti-smoking fighting fund.

Exxon shareholders lose out on vote over high-risk carbon projects: ExxonMobil shareholders will not be able to vote on whether the oil company should stop investing in risky, high-carbon projects after failing to win support from the Securities and Exchange Commission this week.

Savills warns of housing market ‘hiatus’ ahead of the election: International property group Savills has reported record results following a wave of recovery that has boosted some of the world’s major and emerging real estate markets, but warned of a “hiatus” in the U.K. housing sector ahead of May’s election.

A lot of front: Philistines! Traders ditched Next stock on Thursday after the garment retailer downgraded profits forecasts. Almost as if they didn’t care that Next Plc is creating what it describes as “beautiful and iconic buildings”. That was stretching it a bit, judging from accompanying photos of new stores at Maidstone and High Wycombe. Next appears to have attached decent façades to standard brick boxes that retailers lease on retail parks. The Taj Mahal, in contrast, looks good from all angles, not just the front.

Ted talk: Will the real Ted Baker please come forward? Fantasy and reality merge at the fashion retailer, which increased pretax profits to £48.8 million in the year to January 2015. Mr Baker is a character as fictional as the Jolly Green Giant or that porridge peddling Quaker. But he exerts a strong influence over the company set up by his shy inventor, Chief Executive Ray Kelvin. Ted Baker, to the extent that he is separate from Mr Kelvin, appears to be a dapper man about town with a quirky sense of humour. Next clothes are too mainstream for him and Paul Smith clobber would be too expensive. This niche is a good one and the company is expanding steadily.