The Morning News Update with Shire, Close Brothers and Northern Petroleum

FTSE 100

Shire (SHP) – James Bowling, Interim Chief Financial Officer will step down from his current role to pursue a new career opportunity as CFO of Severn Trent. Bowling will leave Shire at the end of Q1 2015 and the company will commence a search for a new CFO immediately.

FTSE 250

Close Brothers (CBG) – announces the disposal of Close Brothers Seydler Bank AG, its securities business in Germany, to Oddo & Cie for a gross cash consideration of €46 million (£36 million).

Small caps

Geong International (GNG) – expects to announce results for the six months ending 30th September 2014 in line with expectations.

Servoca (SVCA) – results for the year ended 30 September 2014 will be significantly ahead of market expectations.

AfriAg (AFRI) – AfriAg Marketing has secured its first import order of 18 tonnes of frozen prawns from India to South Africa. Fish exports from southern Africa are growing steadily to global markets mainly in Asia and Europe with a current order book of $350,000 of seafood products either being processed or transported.

Northern Petroleum (NOP) – the previously announced sale of the UK assets for £1.5 million has now completed. The consideration was settled entirely in cash.

Avation (AVAP) – has entered into conditional agreements for the purchase and lease of two new Airbus A321 aircraft with Thomas Cook Airlines.