Market Report
Numis sticks to 'hold' on Entertainment One after strong first half performance
Analysts at Numis Securities said "robust progress" evident in Canadian entertainment company Entertainment One's first-half trading results led it to the reiteration of its 'hold' rating and target price.
Europe close: Shares end near session highs
Stocks finished near their best levels of the day, possibly influenced by the latest German poll results which might help coax the country's politicians to return to the negotiating table in order to help thrash out a stable government coalition - or face the voters again.
Faroe Petroleum issues $100m senior, unsecured bond in Nordic bond market
The independent oil and gas company, Faroe Petroleum, announced on Tuesday the issue of a $100m senior, unsecured bond in the Nordic bond market, in an attempt to strengthen the company's balance sheet.
London close: FTSE higher on the day as UK deficit widens unexpectedly
Shares closed higher on Tuesday as data revealed an unexpected widening of the UK deficit ahead of the Autumn Budget.
FX round-up: UK trade budget widens as greenback trades on the backfoot
Data out for the UK on Tuesday showed an unexpectedly wider budget deficit, while in the US, the dollar weakened 0. 17% to 93. 923 against a basket of currencies.
Robert Mugabe resigns as president of Zimbabwe
President Mugabe has handed in a written letter of resignation, putting a halt to impeachment hearings, the speaker of Zimbabwe's parliament said on Tuesday.
Improved Asia-Pacific trading puts Spirax-Sarco in line with full-year targets
Industrial engineer Spirax-Sarco stayed on track to hit full-year expectations as sales in the four months leading to 31 October were boosted by growth in Asia Pacific, though offered limited visibility for 2018 due to the usual short-term nature of its order book.
US open: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite at fresh record highs
The S&P 500 and tech-laden Nasdaq Composite are pushing to fresh record highs amid a 'bullish' call on stocks out of Goldman and against a backdrop of supportive economic data.
JPMorgan upgrades ITV as European broadcaster concerns 'overstated'
UK broadcaster ITV was boosted by an upgrade from investment bank JPMorgan Cazenove, which views the European sector as markedly undervalued by the market, with addressable-TV a development that "will transform TV" for advertisers.
Investec cuts water company price target due to nationalisation threat
United Utilities could be forced to slash its dividend from 2020 due to new regulation, warned Investec, leading it to downgrade its rating on the water company, and cut target prices across the sector.
Premier Oil upside hinges on de-risking assets, confirming reserve upside, Barclays says
Analysts at Barclays downgraded their recommendation on shares of Premier Oil, telling clients that the stock's potential now rests on management's ability to de-risk the company's pre-development assets and to confirm the upside for the company's reserves.
Entertainment One jumps on exponential top-line growth from PJ Masks
Entertaintment One posted a sharp rise in first half profits as its Peppa Pig franchise continued to deliver and on the back of the exponential growth in sales from its PJ Masks kids show.
GYG pushes expectations into next year after job delays
Superyacht painting, supply and maintenance company GYG has experienced a number of small delays on the start dates of some refit contracts, it announced in a trading update on Tuesday, adding that while work on those contracts has now started, a greater portion of the work would now be undertaken in the first quarter of 2018.
FTSE 250 movers: SIG rallies after update; Aggreko runs out of power
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 4% to 19,950. 98 in afternoon trade on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to the Autumn Budget the following day.
XLMedia lifts earnings expectations amid strong trading
XLMedia has continued to trade strongly since the half year, it reported in a trading update on Tuesday, and now expects adjusted EBITDA for the year to 31 December to be “materially ahead” of expectations.
FTSE 100 movers: EasyJet flies higher despite falling profits; Mediclinic hit by downgrade
The FTSE 100 was trading 0. 38% higher on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Philip Hammond’s Budget speech on Wednesday.
Sports Direct secures new, increased loan facility
Retailer Sports Direct said on Tuesday that it has entered into a new revolving credit facility which replaces its existing facility and is valid for four years, with an option to extend by a year.
CML Microsystems's profits on the rise
Semiconductor manufacturer CML Microsystems saw pre-tax profits rise 19% in the six months leading to 30 September, leading the group to a maiden interim dividend of 2. 0p per ordinary share.
New acquisitions boost profits at Custodian
Real estate investment trust Custodian saw a 4. 2% increase in its net asset value (NAV) over the six months leading to 30 September, as new acquisitions boosted the value of its portfolio to £474. 3m.
Petro Matad reaches drilling rig agreement with Sinopec
Mongolia-focussed oil explorer Petro Matad has successfully concluded negotiations with Sinopec on a contract amendment for use of its drilling rig in the 2018 drilling campaign, it announced on Tuesday.