THE DAILY BRIEFING

BANK BOOMING Banking group Clydesdale and Y orkshire has notched up a near-250pc surge in annual profits, but warned over price pressures in a ‘ competitive’ lending market.

Glasgow-based CYBG saw pre-tax profits leap to £268m in the year to september 30 from £77m the previous year. The group announced its inaugural shareholder dividend payout of 1p a share. But it was more cautious about the future because of stiff competition.

TOUGH TIMES Retailer AO World has warned full-year profits will come in near the lower end of expectations after swinging to a half-year loss amid higher investments and tough UK trading conditions.

The company booked a pre-tax loss of £9.6m for the six months to september 30, having reported a profit of £2.3m in the same period a year earlier.

DAY DELIVERY Online fashion store Asos has extended its sameday delivery service to customers in Manchester and Leeds.

The service costs £12.95 and lets customers who place orders before 10am between sunday and Friday to have their parcels delivered between 6pm and 10pm the same day.

HOT PROFITS smoke detector maker Halma said profit rose 13pc during the first half of the year as revenue climbed 15pc to £506.3m.

Results were boosted by the asiaPacific region where revenue exceeded the UK for the first time.

Revenue grew fastest in its process safety division, which makes equipment such as gas detectors and explosion protectors.

SALES GUSH Kazakhstanfocused explorer Nostrum Oil &

Gas says revenues were up 23pc to £228m during the first nine months of the year. But the period had been disappointing due to delays to a major gas treatment facility and on its drilling programme.

MILLION RAISED aIM- listed minerals producer Premier African

Minerals has raised more than £1m via alternative finance platform Primary Bid. Dave Mutton, chief operating officer of Primary Bid, said: ‘Premier african Minerals is one of our most followed companies.’

TRADE JOY strong trading in India and south East asia helped boost sales for software provider IMI

Mobile. sales in the six months to the end of september grew 48pc to £53.1m, thanks to growth in the regions, while profits were level at £1m.