Market Report
National Express Q1 boosted by solid US performance
Transport operator National Express reported 6. 2% growth in first-quarter revenue on Wednesday, with its North American business the standout performer.
Sosandar monthly revenues hit record
AIM-quoted online women's fashion brand Sosandar expects full-year revenues to be "no less than" £1. 34m after like-for-like sales in the six months ended 31 March showed a 268% increase against the prior year.
Hurricane launches early production system at Lancaster asset
Oil and gas company Hurricane Energy provided investors with an update on its early production system at the Lancaster Fields project on Wednesday.
Ceres Power lands collaboration agreement with Chinese giant Weichai
Fuel cell developer Ceres Power Holdings announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with leading Chinese automobile and equipment manufacturer Weichai Power.
Eurozone inflation confirmed at 1.2% in April
Annual inflation in the eurozone slowed to 1. 2% in April from 1. 3% the month before, well below the European Central Bank's target of close to but under 2%, data from Eurostat confirmed on Wednesday.
Moss Bros trading improves, chairman to retire next year
Menswear specialist Moss Bros announced the retirement of its chairman on Wednesday as it reported an improvement in trading.
Speedy Hire profit jumps nearly 60%, hikes dividend
Tools rental firm Speedy Hire posted a near-60% jump in full-year profit on Wednesday as it hiked its dividend and said it has kicked off the current year on a positive note.
Mitchells & Butlers earnings narrow as it spends on improvements and new sites
Mitchells & Butlers posted its half-year results for the 28 weeks to 14 April on Wednesday morning, reporting adjusted like-for-like sales growth of 1. 6%, and growth adjusted for the impact of snowy weather earlier in the year of 2. 5%.
Crest Nicholson craters as flat house prices, rising costs hit margins
Housebuilder Crest Nicholson reported strong sales growth for the first half of the year but profit margins are being squeezed by the softer housing market, sending its shares to 16-month lows.
SSP profit up 40% in first half as air passenger numbers grow
Food and beverage outlets operator SSP posted a jump in first-half profit and revenue on Wednesday as it reaped the benefits of growing air passenger numbers, new contract openings across the world and its ongoing programme of operational improvements.
Brewin Dolphin profit rises as discretionary funds, net inflows grow
Wealth manager Brewin Dolphin posted a 20% jump in interim pre-tax profit on Wednesday as discretionary funds and net inflows grew.
London open: Stocks edge up despite geopolitical concerns as Micro Focus, Burberry gain
London stocks edged higher in early trade on Wednesday, with solid updates from the likes of Micro Focus and Burberry and deal news for Paddy Power helping to offset geopolitical worries.
Diageo launches $2bn bond transaction overnight
Diageo has launched and priced an SEC-registered $2bn bond transaction, it announced on Wednesday morning.
Playtech takes steps to protect Asia gaming arm
Playtech said business-to-business gaming revenues had mostly improved in recent months though it was having to take steps to protect its position in Asia as revenues were hit by strong competition.
Micro Focus flags better-than-expected revenues in first half
Software group Micro Focus International updated the market on its trading performance for the six months ended 30 April on Wednesday, saying it expected to report revenues better than the management guidance of -9% to -12% on a constant currency basis, compared to the proforma six months ended 30 April 2017.
Paddy Power confirms talks with FanDuel over US merger
Paddy Power Betfair confirmed it is in talks over a potential merger of its US business and US-based FanDuel to target the US sports betting market.
London pre-open: Stocks seen muted after downbeat US session
London stocks were set for a muted open on Wednesday following a downbeat session in the US amid rising interest rate expectations, and as North Korea suspended talks with South Korea.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Carillion, Amazon, Thomson Reuters
Carillion collapsed as a result of “recklessness, hubris and greed” among directors who put their own financial rewards ahead of all other concerns, according to an excoriating report into the firm’s demise that spreads the blame between board members, the government, accountants and regulators. The company, which managed huge construction projects and provided government services ranging from school meals to prison maintenance and NHS cleaning, slumped into insolvency in January.