IN BRIEF

Shares in house builder Galliford Try surged 8% yesterday after it signalled better than expected full year profits. It comes despite the firm recently taking a £100m hit from a review of two big projects.

Pearson is to sell a 22% stake in its publishing arm Penguin Random House to Germany’s Bertelsmann for £776million.

Tata Steel has sold two plants in Hartlepool for an undisclosed amount, safeguarding 140 jobs. New owner Liberty House Group has pledged to take on extra staff at the sites, which make pipes for the energy and construction sector.

Price comparison website GoCompare says it’s on track for a 22% leap in half-year profits. The Newport-based firm, famed for its opera singer adverts, split from insurance giant esure last November.