Hunting's annual core profit slips on weak shale demand

(Reuters) - Oil industry manufacturer and services provider Hunting Plc reported a small drop in its annual core profit on Thursday, as weak North American shale activity countered strong performances in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.Declining U.S. shale activity and oil and gas investors' push for higher shareholder returns rather than more drilling activity amid volatile prices have weighed on demand for oilfield services. The world's largest oilfield services firm, Schlumberger , has..