Market Pulse
ADP airports lead list of French privatisation prospects for 2018
France is preparing for a series of privatisations in 2018 to raise funds for the government's spending plans, it was reported on Wednesday.
Next provides festive boost as it sees industry headwinds easing
Next has nudged up its full-year profit target after a better online sales performance in the run up to Christmas, but the clothing retailer said it expects profits to fall in the coming year.
Dominion Energy to buy Scana in $7.9bn deal
Dominion Energy has agreed to buy Scana in a deal that values the group at $7. 9bn.
Petrobras settles US class action suit for $2.95bn
Brazilian state-operated oil business Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) agreed to pay $2. 95bn on Wednesday in order to settle a US class action lawsuit brought by investors seeking compensation after a corruption scandal.
UK in talks to join TPP to boost post-Brexit trade
The UK has held talks about joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership to support Britain's international trade after Brexit.
London midday: Stocks flat as disappointing construction data offsets strong retailers
London stocks were still little changed by midday on Wednesday, as a disappointing reading on the UK construction sector offset a solid performance for retailers after Next lifted its guidance.
Pantheon Resources hit by unexpected production plunge
Shares in AIM-listed oil and gas exploration company Pantheon Resources tumbled on Wednesday after the firm announced that two wells at its oilfield in Polk County, Texas, had seen unexpected declines in production.
Softbank eyes further Sprint shares after T-Mobile merger talks dissolve
Japanese telecommunications group Softbank has continued its aggressive purchases of Sprint stock that began after talks of the US cell phone network's merger T-Mobile and Sprint died in November.
RBS sells offshore leasing assets to Investec and Shawbrook - report
Royal Bank of Scotland has agreed to sell off its offshore leasing businesses to Investec and Shawbrook due to new regulatory pressures around 'ring fencing', a report revealed on Wednesday.
US pre-open: Stocks to edge up ahead of FOMC minutes
US futures pointed to a firmer open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with the Dow on track to hit another record as investors eyed the latest minutes from the Federal Reserve.
Corero secures two orders for its SmartWall products worth more than $400k
AIM-listed network security company Corero Network Security said on Wednesday that it has secured two new orders worth more than $400,000 for SmartWall products and related one-year support services.
Burberry recruits NiChionna to pay committee after shareholder spats
Burberry has recruited Orna NiChionna to chair its remuneration committee as the luxury brand seeks to soothe relations with shareholders after a series of rebellions over pay.
UK construction survey disappoints, growth outlook gloomy
UK construction firms reported a worse month of December than the market had expected and expectations for the year ahead were the worst for four and a half years.
Staffline to miss £1bn revenue target for the year
AIM-listed employment agency Staffline said on Wednesday that full-year results should be in line with market expectations but revenues will be a touch below its £1bn target.
Investec stays at 'buy' on Next, points to valuation and consistent cash generation
Analysts at Investec reiterated their 'buy' recommendation for shares of Next, pointing to the shares' supportive valuation and the "consistency" of the company's cash generation to back up their case.
BNN failed to declare £270,000 bonus for ex-CEO
BNN Technology said it failed to declare a £270,000 bonus for its former chief executive as the troubled company's listing on AIM hung in the balance.
Wizz Air grows passenger numbers as aircraft orders secured to 2026
Low-cost airline Wizz Air, which connects central and eastern Europe with the rest of the continent, reported good growth in passenger numbers in December.
Big Sofa wins two 'significant' new contracts
AIM-listed Big Sofa, an international video analytics provider to consumer brands and market research agencies, has won two “significant” contracts, one with US retailer Target and the other with Zurich North America, the US company of the global insurance group.
SolGold sees 'strong potential' from maiden resource estimate at Cascabel
Australian copper and gold exploration and development company SolGold posted strong results from a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) at its Alpala target on the Cascabel copper-gold porphyry project in Ecuador.
Plus500 sees FY profit and revenue ahead of market expectations
Shares in Plus500 rallied as the online trading platform provider said revenues and profits for the year to the end of December will be ahead of market expectations.