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London midday: Stocks tread water as miners slump; Trump speech eyed
Stocks in London treaded water on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to US President Donald Trump's address to Congress later in the day, with heavily-weighted miners under the cosh as the dollar gained ground.
Interserve shelves dividend but reports underlying profit
Interserve has shelved its dividend following last week's warning that its exiting from the energy-from-waste market would cost more than expected.
Randall & Quilter raises £16.9m in share placing
Non-life insurance and investment specialist Randall & Quilter has conditionally raised gross proceeds of up to £16. 9m through the placing of 14. 4m shares at 117p each, which it plans to use partly to grow its core legacy acquisition activity.
Two women charged with Kim Jong-nam murder as North Korean team arrives
An Indonesian and a Vietnamese woman will be charged with the murder of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Malaysia, the attorney general in Kuala Lumpur has confirmed.
JLT helped by weak pound; see positive outlook in US
Insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson reported a 13% fall in statutory full year pre-tax profits but said the weak pound helped results and the outlook was better for its US operation.
Sphere Medical's shares fall as FY results disappoint
Sphere Medical's shares are down almost a fifth as its full-year results disappointed despite confirmation that Proxima was gaining traction in the market.
Northern Ireland extends schools contract with Capita
The Northern Ireland Education Authority has extended its contract with Capita to provide ICT services for over 1,100 schools by two years in a deal worth more than £50m.
Swallowfield shares dip on news of rising costs after H1 pre-tax profit
Shares in Swallowfield are down almost 3% on news of rising material and packaging costs as sterling weakened, despite the company improving its first-half pre-tax profit and revenue in a period it described as one of significant progress.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted as attention turns to Trump speech
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street on Tuesday as investors looked ahead to a key speech by President Donald Trump, who teased investors the day before with the promise of a "big" announcement on infrastructure.
Old Mutual reports solid Nedbank results, UK IFA acquisition
Old Mutual has reported solid annual results for 54%-owned South African banking subsidiary Nedbank and revealed that its wealth management arm has struck a deal to acquire Manchester-based financial adviser network Caerus Capital Group.
Red Leopard's shares soar as it becomes cash shell seeking deals
Shares in Red Leopard are up a staggering 400% after confirming it has become an AIM cash shell seeking deals on deciding to cease funding its zinc and silver project in Idaho.
Laird confirms £185m rights issue, posts 30% drop in FY profit
Electronics components maker Laird, whose shares tumbled back in October after a profit warning, has announced a fully-underwritten rights issue to raise around £185m in gross proceeds to reduce its indebtedness.
Tuesday broker round-up
Marks & Spencer: Jefferies upgrades to Buy from Underweight with a target price of 370p.
Britons more confident of UK economic outlook in January, Lloyds says
Britons' were significantly more confident about the UK economy's prospects at the start of 2017, even as concerns about the outlook for their disposable income mounted.
UBS starts Auto Trader at 'sell', says market expects too much
UBS initiated coverage of Auto Trader with a 'sell' rating and 375p price target.
GfK says Britons less confident in January on savings, outlook for personal finances
Britons were less optimistic in February, judging that both the outlook for their personal finances and ability to save had worsened, the results of a widely-followed survey revealed.
Taylor Wimpey builds on bumper dividend with 'very strong' start to 2017
As it posted largely pre-announced annual results, Taylor Wimpey said it had made a "very good" start to 2017 and suggested the UK housing market will remain supportive for its bumper dividend programme for some time.
Meggitt lifts dividend despite drop in full-year profit
FTSE 250 engineer Meggitt surged on Tuesday as investors welcomed news that it has lifted its dividend, despite reporting a drop in full-year pre-tax profit amid a difficult oil and gas market.
Marks & Spencer boosted by Jefferies upgrade
Marks & Spencer got a boost on Tuesday as Jefferies upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'underperform' and hiked the price target to 370p from 250p, pointing to the company's strategy progress.
Go-Ahead lowers FY expectations on GTR challenges
Transport operator Go-Ahead, which owns 65% of the Southern franchise through Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), reported a drop in first-half pre-tax profit as operating profit from the rail division slumped due to strike action, and the company lowered its full-year expectations for the bus and rail divisions.