Latest News
UK public inflation expectations hit two-year high
The UK public's long-term inflation expectations have climbed to a two-year high of 3%, according to a closely watched monthly survey published on Wednesday.
Canaccord reiterates 'hold', lifts target price on Wood Group
Canaccord Genuity on Wednesday reiterated a ‘hold’ rating on John Wood Group but raised its target price to 875p from 850p.
Good Energy hit by 'exceptional volatility' in power trading market
Energy supplier Good Energy said it still expected to meet the lower end of market expectations after more challenging trading due to "exceptional volatility" in the short-term power trading market from late October to late November.
Telford Homes sells third build-to-rent development
AIM-listed residential property developer Telford Homes has exchanged contracts for the sale of its third build-to-rent development, The Forge, to M&G Real Estate for £48. 6m.
Europe open: Stocks little changed but Monte dei Paschi tumbles
European stocks were little changed in early trade in holiday-thinned trade, as investors continued to keep an eye on Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena.
Premaitha Health to buy Taiwan's Yourgene Biosciences
Premaitha Health, a maker of non-invasive prenatal screening system, is to buy Taiwan’s Yourgene Biosciences in a bid to expand the company in Asia.
Pittards warns of hit from Ethiopia disruption, lower leather demand
Leather and luxury leather goods maker Pittards has warned that its full year results are likely to be lower due to lower demand in recent months and disruption to its Ethiopian manufacturing operations from the violent social unrest in the country.
London open: Stocks flat ahead of UK borrowing figures; volumes paltry
Stocks in London were flat in early trade as investors awaited the release of UK borrowing figures, with volumes dwindling ahead of the Christmas break and little in the way of market-moving news.
Cerillion wins €3.3m contract with European broadband provider
Billing software company Cerillion has won a €3. 3m deal with an European broadband and television service provider.
John Laing Infrastructure invests in UK rail rolling stock
FTSE 250-listed John Laing Infrastructure Fund has agreed to buy a 6% stake in a UK high-speed rail project, its first investment in rail rolling stock, from John Laing Investments for £42. 4m.
Coca-Cola to buy Africa bottling business from AB InBev
Coca-Cola has reached an agreement with Anheuser Busch-InBev to buy the Belgian Brewer’s 54. 5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for $3. 15bn.
QinetiQ pays £58m for Meggitt Target Systems
Meggitt and QinetiQ confirmed on Wednesday morning that QinetiQ has acquired Meggitt Defence Systems and Meggitt Holdings Canada, together Meggitt Target Systems, from Meggitt for £57. 5m on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
RBC Capital ups Shawbrook to 'sector perform', lifts EPS estimates
RBC Capital Markets upgraded challenger bank Shawbrook to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ and lifted the price target to 280p from 210p as it upped its earnings forecasts.
Dairy Crest eyes animal feeds market with DuPont prebiotic deal
Dairy Crest has agreed a research partnership with DuPont to try and expand the market for its galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) byproduct, which has so far been used as a prebiotic in infant formula.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower as volumes taper off ahead of Christmas
Stocks in London were set drift lower at the open amid a lack of fresh catalysts, as activity winds down in the run-up to the Christmas break.
Riverstone Energy swaps CIOC loan for warrants
Riverstone Energy has offloaded a C$28m loan interest in Canada's CIOC and swapped the proceeds for an investment in CIOC warrants instead.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: BHS, Brexit, house prices
Sir Philip Green may have to pay £1bn to resolve the problems facing the BHS pension scheme under proposals tabled by MPs. The work and pensions committee, which is chaired by Labour MP Frank Field, has called for the government to introduce a “nuclear deterrent” to stop companies or individuals trying to avoid their responsibilities to pension schemes. – Guardian .
US close: Dow remains in spitting distance of 20,000
US equity markets were in the green on Tuesday as the dollar rebounded and the Dow flirted with the 20,000 mark.