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Wednesday broker round-up
DCC: Exane BNP Paribas downgrades to neutral with a target price of 6200p.
Thursday preview: BoE expected to keep interest rates unchanged
The Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged for the 85th month in a row when it announces its latest policy decision on Thursday.
De La Rue lifts profit guidance after currency boost
Banknote printer De La Rue said it expects full year profits will be better than current forecasts as new management made progress with their five-year plan.
Lead UK EU referendum campaigns named: BBC
Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe have been designated as the official Leave and Remain campaigns in June's EU referendum, the BBC reported, citing the Electoral Commission.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Asos, Michael Page
It remains exceedingly difficult to value Asos’s share price in any rational manner, The Times’s Tempus said.
Specialist Investment Properties acquires Birmingham children's home
Specialist Investment Properties (SIPP) announced another property acquisition on Wednesday - the third such purchase since the board implemented its new investment policy.
Panama Papers: Prosecutors raid Mossack Fonseca HQ
Authorities in Panama on Wednesday raided the offices of law firm Mossack Fonseca, the company at the heart of the documents leak that has led to allegations of worldwide money laundering and tax evasion.
Peabody Energy files for bankruptcy
Coal producer Peabody Energy has filed for US bankruptcy protection as it looks to reduce its overall debt level, lower fixed charges and improve operating cash flow following a big drop in coal prices.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally on China data; Tesco slumps on outlook
London’s FTSE 100 index was up 1. 7% to 6,347. 98 in afternoon trade, with miners pacing the advance after better-than-expected Chinese trade figures.
FTSE 250 movers: China data boosts miners; Dunelm down on deputy chair stake sale
The FTSE 250 was in solid positive territory on Wednesday afternoon with the mid-cap index up 1. 27% to 17,009 at 1441 BST.
Boots accused of abusing NHS scheme
Pharmacy chain Boots was accused of ripping off the National Health Service on Wednesday, by instructing staff to give patients ‘medicine use reviews’ (MURs), even if they don’t need them.
Mi-Pay narrows FY losses
Mobile payments group Mi-Pay managed to narrow full year pre-tax losses to £1. 4m from £4. 3m on the back of a small jump in revenues and hefty cut in admin expenses.
US retail sales unexpectedly drop in March
US retail sales unexpectedly fell in March, according to data from the Commerce Department.
Mirland Developments' bondholders propose debt-to-equity restructure
MirLand Development's bondholders have proposed a debt restructuring that could converting $180m of the Russian property developer's debt into new equity.
Broker tips: Cobham, Atkins, Inchcape
Aerospace and defence firm Cobham got a boost on Wednesday as Barclays upgraded the stock to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ in light of the recent performance.
Cobham boosted by JPMorgan upgrade
Aerospace and defence firm Cobham got a boost on Wednesday as Barclays upgraded the stock to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ in light of the recent performance.
JPMorgan first quarter results beat expectations
JPMorgan Chase & Co posted a drop in first quarter profit and revenue, partly on the back of weakness in its investment banking and trading businesses, but the results were better than analysts had expected.
Alecto Minerals agrees financing deal and DBO for Zambia gold mine
Alecto Minerals has agreed a financing deal for the construction of its Matala gold project in Zambia.
Providence facing payout to Transocean after court ruling
Providence was on shaky ground on Wednesday, having lost an appeal brought against it in a long-running legal battle with Transocean.
House of Fraser posts first profit since 2006
House of Fraser posted a modest profit on Wednesday - its first since 2006 - as the 59-store chain continued its turnaround under Chinese ownership.