Market Report
Ericsson shares soar after better-than-expected Q2 results
Shares in Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson soared on Wednesday after the company posted an unexpected small operating profit in the second quarter.
Europe midday: Stocks gain as euro slides, led by auto and tech
European stocks were mostly higher on Wednesday as the dollar continued to dominate the single currency, with automotive and tech shares leading the gains.
Boohoo bumped up to 'buy' by Liberum
Online fashion retailer Boohoo got a boost on Wednesday as Liberum bumped the stock up to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted the price target to 240p from 220p on the back of an improvement in its key metrics.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted but Morgan Stanley set to gain on Q2 numbers
US stocks looked set for a fairly muted open on Wednesday as earnings rolled in from banking behemoth Morgan Stanley and as investors eyed Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell's second day of testimony.
Shake up needed in pension investment market, says CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority has concluded its investigation into the pension investment market by proposing a series of reforms.
May narrowly avoids rebellion on customs union in crucial vote
Prime Minister Theresa May narrowly avoided a rebellion within her own ranks on Tuesday night over the EU customs union with the help of four Labour pro-Brexit MPs and a threat to call an election.
Carr's upgrades guidance again
Agricultural and engineering group Carr's said on Wednesday that full-year results will be "slightly" ahead of its previous expectations as trading since its interim results in April has been better than expected.
EasyJet shrugs off turbulent conditions to lift profit guidance
Third-quarter revenues at easyJet rose 14%, despite industrial action in France, prompting the budget carrier to increase its guidance for full-year profits.
Lamprell maintains revenue guidance, still sees no revenue growth until 2019
Lamprell maintained its revenue guidance for the year on Wednesday and said it continues to expect no revenue growth until 2019.
Europe open: German and French stocks rise on euro dip, auto tariff reports
European stocks were mostly higher on Wednesday as the dollar continued to dominate the single currency, with automotive and tech shares leading the gains.
Hotel Chocolat hails 'strong' year, revenue up 12%
British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat posted a jump in revenue on Wednesday and said its new range of chilled drinks have been a hit in the recent hot weather.
Pound tumbles as UK inflation misses analyst targets
Expectations for an interest rate rise in August have faltered after June's UK inflation rate fell short of analyst expectations.
Smiths Group shares fall on medical division disappointment
Smiths Group shares were in the red on Wednesday morning, despite a relatively upbeat trading update, as investors noticed an effective profit warning for its medical division buried in the RNS release.
Close Brothers trading in line as it prepares for IFRS 9 impact
Close Brothers Group issued its scheduled pre-close trading update ahead of its 2018 financial year-end on Wednesday, reporting that it had continued to perform “well” across all divisions, consistent with its third quarter trading update.
BTG trading in line as shareholders muster for AGM
Specialist healthcare company BTG updated the market on its recent progress on Wednesday, as investors gathered for its annual general meeting in London, reporting that in interventional medicine it had made “significant progress” in the key growth drivers of geographic expansion, indication expansion and product innovation in its oncology and vascular businesses.
Hochschild Mining achieves record production in first half
Hochschild Mining reported “another very strong quarter” in its second-quarter production numbers on Wednesday, with attributable production for the period reaching 5. 0 million ounces of silver and 68,477 ounces of gold.
RPC under pressure from investors over growth plans
Plastics manufacturer RPC saw revenue growth slow in the first quarter and warned that its acquisitive growth plans were being constrained.
Meggitt secures new contracts for business jets and Chinese turboprops
Aerospace and defence engineering group Meggitt announced two new contracts on Wednesday - the first with Textron Aviation, to develop a wireless system that could check tyre pressure on a business jet in a matter of seconds, replacing the need for a manual gauge.
Focus on convenience a solid play for NewRiver
NewRiver updated the market on its first quarter performance on Wednesday, reporting that it completed a number of acquisitions in core sectors at “attractive” entry prices, with opportunities for further value creation.
BHP posts solid production numbers for 2018 financial year
BHP released its operational review for the year ended 30 June on Wednesday, reporting that it met or exceeded full-year production guidance for petroleum, copper, iron ore and energy coal, as well as its revised guidance for metallurgical coal.