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Shares of Vesuvius plunged into the red after becoming the last company to fall victim to a cyberattack.
The FTSE 250 engineering group, which makes smelting equipment and technology for steel mills, said the incident related to “unauthorized access to our systems.”
In a statement to investors, it said: “We have taken appropriate steps to investigate and respond to the incident, including shutting down the affected systems.
Hacked: FTSE 250 engineering group Vesuvius, which makes smelting equipment and technology for steel mills, is the latest UK company to fall victim to a cyber attack
“We are working with leading cybersecurity experts to support our investigation and determine the scope of the problem, including the impact on production and contract fulfillment.”
Vesuvius shares fell 3.3 percent, or 13.8 pence, to 405 pence.
An increasing number of London-listed companies have fallen victim to cyber attacks this year.
Last Monday, JD Sports (2.4 percent, or 4.5 pence, to 182.15 pence) warned that the data of about 10 million customers may have been stolen.
The retail giant insisted that the payment card details were secure. But addresses, phone numbers and email addresses were stolen, the company admitted.
Royal Mail (parent company IDS fell 1 percent, or 2.4 pence, to 234.7 pence yesterday) was forced to suspend its international deliveries after a cyber-attack last month.
Hackers linked to Russia disrupted the postal company’s global distribution center near Heathrow.
Days earlier, Morgan Advanced Materials (-0.9 percent, or 3 pence, to 316 pence), which makes ceramics for metal smelters, warned investors that it was managing a cybersecurity incident after detecting unauthorized activity on its network.
Mining technology group Weir (-1.4 percent, or 25.5 pence, to 1818 pence) experienced a similar problem in October 2021.
After reaching an all-time high late last week, the FTSE 100 fell 0.8 percent, or 65.09 points, to 7836.71 and the FTSE 250 fell 0.9 percent, or 184.08 points, to 20409.38.
Investors once again worried about rising interest rates, while rising tensions between Washington and Beijing – including the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon by US fighter jets – also took their toll.
Chemicals group Croda has agreed to acquire South Korean biotech company Solus for around £232 million.
Croda boss Steve Foots said the deal with Solus Advanced Materials is a “strategic hit” for his company, with the acquisition strengthening its Beauty Actives portfolio. Shares fell 0.8 percent, or 56p, to 7162p.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons’ boss has increased his stake in the pub chain from 21.88 percent to 23.9 percent. Tim Martin remains the company’s largest shareholder with nearly 31 million shares.
Shares fell 1.6 percent, or 8 pence, to 501.5 pence.
Similarly, Superdry chief executive Julian Dunkerton increased his stake in the fashion company for the second time in a few months.
His stake increased from 23.9 percent to 24.3 percent, the latest legal registration showed. In October, he increased his stake from 21.7 percent to 23.9 percent.
Dunkerton insisted last week that he didn’t feel like taking Superdry private ‘at the moment’. Shares rose 2 percent, or 2.4p, to 123.4p
At Frasers Group, Mike Ashley’s empire is reportedly about to buy two shopping centers for £100 million.
The company behind Sports Direct, Jack Wills and Flannels could buy The Mall in Luton and the Overgate Shopping Center in Dundee. Shares fell 1.2 percent, or 9.5 pence, to 793.5 pence.
Gambling software group Playtech has turned to court in hopes of settling a dispute over its joint venture with Mexican gambling operator Caliplay.
The companies disagree over whether an option Caliplay has to redeem the service fees it pays to Playtech is still valid or has expired.
Shares fell 1.3 percent, or 7.5 pence, to 576.5 pence.
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