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Europe midday: Stocks higher as investors look ahead to Trump news conference
European stocks were a touch higher as investors awaited US President-elect Donald Trump’s first press conference since July.
ValiRx upbeat on positive VAL201 study results
Clinical stage biotechnology company ValiRx announced positive results in its VAL201 personalised Phase l/II prostate cancer study on Wednesday, adding that with accumulation of safety and tolerability data there is also evidence of disease stabilisation on CT imaging and reduction in PSA progression in the majority of patients.
Merrill Lynch upgrades Spectris and Spirax, prefers Smiths Group
Engineering shares were boosted by a note from Bank of America Merill Lynch that upgraded Spectris and Spirax-Sarco Engineering but said Smiths Group was its preferred UK name in a sector where investors are looking to rotate towards cyclical stocks.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of Trump press conference
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street as investors awaited President-elect Donald Trump’s first press conference since July.
UK trade deficit widens by £2.6bn over November, ONS reveals
The UK trade deficit widened markedly in November due to surge in imports, according to data from the Office for National Statistics, sending the pound spiralling lower.
Evgen Pharma receives go ahead for haemorrhage drug trial
Evgen Pharma, a clinical stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer and neurological conditions, has received a positive interim safety review from the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for its Phase II double-blind placebo-controlled SAS trial of SFX-01 in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).
Asia report: Most markets higher ahead of Trump press conference
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Wednesday, with investors turning stateside ahead of Donald Trump’ first proper press conference since he was elected US President in early November.
Broker tips: BT, Thomas Cook, TUI, Burberry
BT Group got a lift on Wednesday as Morgan Stanley upgraded its stance on the stock to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and bumped up the price target to 490p from 450p.
Joules retail sales up 23% over Christmas period
Clothing retailer Joules said on Wednesday that it delivered another strong performance over the Christmas period.
Xaar and Xerox ink agreement
Xaar, a British industrial inkjet technology supplier, has signed an agreement with Xerox corporation to partner in bulk piezoelectric (piezo) inkjet printheads.
National Express sells Essex rail franchise to Italian state operator
One of the UK’s most successful passenger rail franchises was set to change hands on Wednesday, as National Express Group announced it had reached an in principle agreement for Trenitalia - the passenger rail transportation company part of the state-owned FS Italiane Group - to acquire c2c.
Shoe Zone profit nudges up despite drop in revenue
Shoe Zone reported a 1. 1% rise in pre-tax profit for the 52 weeks ended 1 October, despite a small drop in revenue, which reflected the planned closure of loss-making stores and difficult trading conditions in the first half.
Atlantis Resources diversifies into new waters
Atlantis Resources, an AIM listed turbine supplier and project owner in the tidal power industry, has announced that it is establishing a new internal division called Atlantis Energy as part of its diversification strategy.
Morses Club announces acquisition of Shelby Finance
Home collected credit lender Morses Club has announced the acquisition of Shelby Finance, a provider of online instalment loans, for an undisclosed sum.
Trump faces allegations of compromising material linking him with Russia
US president-elect Donald Trump faces the press for the first time on Wednesday since his election victory, as reports of his personal links with Russia surfaced on Tuesday.
BT boosted by Morgan Stanley upgrade
BT Group got a lift on Wednesday as Morgan Stanley upgraded its stance on the stock to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and bumped up the price target to 490p from 450p.
Barack Obama gives tearful farewell speech in Chicago
Outgoing US president Barack Obama has given an emotionally charged final speech in Chicago, in which he only mentioned president-elect Donald Trump by name once.
UK construction output unexpectedly shrinks
UK construction output unexpectedly fell in November, according to official data published on Wednesday.
Thomas Cook and TUI shares fall on Credit Suisse downgrade
Thomas Cook and TUI slumped on Wednesday after Credit Suisse downgraded its rating on the travel stocks.
Cobham trading profit falls short of guidance, scraps dividend
Aerospace and defence group Cobham posted group trading profit below guidance for the year ended 31 December and said it was not recommending a final dividend.