Full List Of Stories
Credit Suisse downgrades Softcat on valuation but says interims 'very strong'
Credit Suisse downgraded its stance on IT infrastructure products and services provider Softcat on Wednesday on valuation grounds, as it said the shares were "up with positive events".
Softcat interim profit rises, dividend lifted amid strong demand
Softcat, a provider of IT infrastructure products and services, reported a rise in interim operating profit on Wednesday as revenue grew and the company lifted its dividend by 14% amid strong customer demand.
FTSE 250 movers: Sophos recovers; Softcat retreats on interims
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 3% to 19,667. 54 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US existing home sales rise more than expected in February
Sales of US existing homes rose more than expected in February, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
CS cuts Ferguson target on FX, reiterates 'outperform' on solid fundamentals
Credit Suisse cut its price target on plumbing and heating supplier Ferguson, formerly Wolseley, but kept its 'outperform' rating on the stock.
FTSE 100 movers: Barclays gives LSE a boost; Kingfisher drops on results
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 5% to 7,025. 71 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors digested the latest UK jobs data and eyed the Fed's rate announcement after the close.
Goldman Sachs downgrades Ocado to 'neutral' after outperformance
Goldman Sachs downgraded its stance on Ocado to 'neutral' and removed the stock from its Conviction List following "material" outperformance.
London midday: Stocks fall further as sterling gains on accelerating wage growth
London stocks had extended losses by midday on Wednesday as the pound gained ground after UK wage growth was shown to have accelerated more than expected at the start of the year, while a slew of updates from retailers meant the high street was very much in focus.
US pre-open: Stocks seen flat to lower as investors eye Fed; Facebook weak again
US futures pointed to a flat to slightly lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors awaited the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
ScS interim revenue, earnings rise but recent trading hit by bad weather
Furniture and flooring retailer ScS reported a jump in interim revenue and earnings on Wednesday but warned that recent trading has been hit by adverse weather.
Mothercare rallies as it gets breathing space from lenders
Shares in Mothercare rallied on Wednesday as the baby and toddler chain got some much-needed breathing space after its lenders agreed to defer the testing of its financial covenants due on 24 March.
London open: Stocks slip on high street woe; UK jobs, Fed decision eyed
As equity markets in London edged lower at Wednesday's open, it was all about the high street following full-year numbers from B&Q owner Kingfisher, a profit warning from menswear specialist Moss Bros and updates from Carpetright, SCS and Mothercare.
Carpetright secures emergency loan, announces cash call and CVA
Floor coverings retailer Carpetright said on Wednesday that it has secured an emergency loan from one of its biggest shareholders as it announced a cash call and said it is looking at a company voluntary arrangement to cut rents and close stores.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Carillion, Cambridge Analytica, Aviva
Partners from PricewaterhouseCoopers will be questioned by the work and pensions committee on Wednesday about the accounting firm’s role in the collapse of Carillion, with PwC accused of attempting to “milk the Carillion cow dry”. The committee said the correspondence between the Pensions Regulator and Carillion exposed the regulator’s weak position and the key role played by PwC. Most of the regulator’s negotiations were conducted via PwC, which advised Carillion’s directors on managing their pensions liabilities from 2012 to 2017.
London pre-open: Stocks to edge up ahead of jobs data, Fed announcement
London stocks were set to edge higher at the open on Wednesday as investors eyed key UK jobs data and the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.