Market Pulse
Asia report: Markets mixed, RBA upbeat on Australia outlook
Markets in Asia were mixed on on Tuesday, amid more quiet trading as a number of exchanges remained closed for holidays.
ITE Group announces increased revenue
Exhibition and conference organisers ITE Group announced in a pre-close statement on Tuesday that it was expecting to report higher revenue than initially forecast as the company's decision to focus on core market-leading events had begun to pay off.
US pre-open: Stocks to nudge higher ahead of Powell speech
US futures pointed to a marginally higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday following record high closes in the previous session, with little on tap other than a speech by Jerome Powell.
SCS Group reports sales growth across all areas
Sunderland based retailer SCS Group reported a rise in its net profit on Tuesday as its preliminary results showed an increased sales density at its furniture and flooring stores.
Asiamet discovers further mineralisation at Indonesian site
Copper exploration and development junior Asiamet Resources announced on Tuesday that it had found further high-grade base and precious metal rich mineralisation at its BKZ prospect in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
UK construction activity drops off and costs rise in September
UK construction activity declined for first time in 13 months in September, according to a closely followed survey of the industry that indicated "fragile" client confidence and a lack of new infrastructure projects was hitting new business volumes.
Inspiration's NeuroproteXeon secures big deal with Mallinckrodt
Medical device company Inspiration Healthcare Group announced on Tuesday that NeuroproteXeon, in which it has an 8. 1% fully diluted shareholding, has secured a licence agreement with Mallinckrodt for the development and commercialisation of NeuroproteXeon's investigational, pharmaceutical-grade xenon gas for inhalation therapy.
Deltex signs on 'significant' new hospital account
Oesophageal doppler monitoring firm Deltex Medical Group announced the addition of a “significant” new hospital account in the US on Tuesday.
Morrisons a 'sell' due to 'limited opportunities', says Berenberg
Morrisons is vulnerable to a derating if sales slow, said Berenberg as it initiated coverage with a 'sell' recommendation, with Sainsbury's preferred as the top pick for the sector.
Hargreaves Services reshuffles board, trading remains in line
Durham-based Hargreaves Services said trading was in line with expectations at a group level, while confirming the arrival of a new finance director and departure of a commercial director ahead of its annual shareholder meeting.
Drilling at Metal Tiger's Botswana asset intersects new copper zones
Equity investment group Metal Tiger said on Tuesday that drilling at its joint-venture with MOD Resources in Botswana had intersected multiple new zones containing visible copper mineralisation about 300 metres northeast of the main site.
London open: Stocks dip as investors eye construction data
London stocks nudged a touch lower in early trade on Tuesday as investors sifted through corporate news and eyed the latest reading on the UK construction sector.
Electrocomponents fizzes in first half, second likely to be tougher
Electrocomponents expects a 42% increase in profits for the first half after enjoying an acceleration in revenue growth and market share in the second quarter and achieving a "modest increase" in gross margin.
Great Portland Estates makes solid leasing and development progress
Great Portland Estates announced a “busy quarter” of leasing activity on Tuesday, with 28 new leases, rent reviews and renewals completed securing £10. 2m of annual rent, along with “good progress” on delivering its three committed development schemes.
Ryanair traffic up 10% in September despite cancellations
Beleaguered budget airline Ryanair posted a 10% jump in traffic for September on Tuesday as the load factor rose.
Ferguson plumbs cash pile for share buyback as US profits mount
Ferguson, the plumbing and heating group formerly known as Wolseley, has proposed a 10% dividend increase and announced a £500m share buyback, after a year of strong profits growth.
Wizz Air passenger numbers up 26% in September
Central and Eastern Europe-focused low-cost carrier Wizz Air reported a 26% jump in passenger numbers in September, as the load factor ticked higher.
Greggs serves up solid growth as menu focus continues
Bakery chain Greggs reported solid third quarter growth on Tuesday, claiming total sales were up 8. 6% in the 13 weeks to 30 September, compared to 5. 6% growth at the same time last year, while like-for-like sales in company-managed shops improved 5. 0%, up from 2. 8%.
Britvic to close Norwich plant, 242 employees affected
Britvic said on Tuesday that it plans to close its plant in Norwich and transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its manufacturing sites in East London, Leeds and Rugby, in a move that will affect 242 employees.
Coca-Cola HBC's Dimitirs Lois dies, company confirms
Coca‑Cola HBC, one of the Coca-Cola Company’s largest bottling partners, announced on Tuesday that its CEO, Dimitris Lois, died on 2 October.