The morning news update with Rio Tinto, Cairn Energy and Earthport

FTSE 100

Rio Tinto (RIO) – confirms that no discussions are taking place with Glencore, following press speculation.

Fresnillo (FRES) – completes the acquisition of Newmont Mining’s 44% interest in the Penmont Joint Venture.

FTSE 250

Carillion (CLLN) – Carillion will be the first company to benefit from the new Direct Lending Facility, which is being provided by UK Export Finance to boost UK exports. Also announces a £75 million contract to deliver Phase 1 of the Dubai World Trade Centre District development for the Dubai World Trade Centre, using UKEF’s new Direct Lending Facility with the loan being arranged by Deutsche Bank. 

Diploma (DPLM) – acquires 80% of Technopath (Distribution), an established supplier of products to the Biotechnology, Clinical Laboratory and Medical markets in Ireland and the UK., with put and call options to acquire the outstanding 20% of shares over a period of up to 5 years.

Cairn Energy (CNE) – the FAN-1 exploration well, offshore Senegal, has discovered oil.

Small caps

Earthport (EPO) – announces a contract with Standard Chartered which is subject to certain approvals and additional details will be announced in due course.

ITM Power (ITM) – now has £6.77m of projects under contract and £1.20m of new projects subject to final contract negotiation.

LPA Group (LPA) – wholly owned subsidiary LPA Excil Electronics has been selected to supply LED based lighting on two major rail vehicle projects, in the Middle East and Australia, with a combined value of £3.3m.

SCISYS (SSY) – has received a contract extension from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) worth over £1 million.

Accumuli (ACM) – trading for the six months ended 30 September 2014 is in line with management expectations.