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Broker tips: South32, easyJet, Next, Bodycote
Shares in South 32 were on the front foot on Wednesday after HSBC upgraded the base metal and coal miner to 'buy' from 'hold' and left its price target unchanged at 185p, following suggestions that it will execute a share buyback programme in the first half.
ITV repeats dividend special but expects advertising revenues to stumble
ITV reported a sizeable slowdown in revenues in the second half of 2016 and warned that advertising revenues would fall in the early months of 2017.
Markit's US manufacturing PMI slips back in February
US manufacturing activity eased back in February, according to figures released on Wednesday.
Proxama wins £300,000 grant to transform Manchester's transport system
Mobile commerce company Proxama has won a £300,000 grant from the UK government to design and implement a smart transportation model for Greater Manchester.
François Fillon to continue with presidential campaign after court summons
France’s François Fillon said that he will continue with his presidential campaign and confirmed that he has been summoned by magistrates over an investigation of public money paid to his wife for a fictitious job.
Small cap news round-up
Mobile commerce company Proxama has won a £300,000 grant from Innovate UK, the government’s agency that supports innovation and business, to design and implement a smart transportation model for Greater Manchester.
UK govt Brexit bill faces defeat in Lords over rights of EU nationals
The UK government's Brexit bill faced its first defeat on Wednesday as the House of Lords looked likely to pass an amendment that secures that rights of EU citizens in Britain.
Results round-up: ITV, CRH, BBA Aviation, Carillion
ITV reported a sizeable slowdown in revenues in the second half of 2016 and warned that advertising revenues would fall in the early months of 2017.
FTSE 100 movers: CRH leads the way; Royal Mail returned to sender
CRH shares led the risers on the Footsie on Wednesday as the company posted positive 2016 results with continued profit growth, and margins and returns ahead in all divisions.
BofA Merrill Lynch lifts S&P 500 year-end target to 2,450 from 2,300
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has bumped up its 2017 year-end target for the S&P 500 to reflect the increasing likelihood that we are entering the typical later stages of a bull market, during which fundamentals typically take a back seat to sentiment and technicals.
Northern Petroleum notes initiation of Cascina Alberto engagement programme
Oil and gas company Northern Petroleum says Shell Italia E&P S. p. A has initiated a local engagement programme in relation to the Cascina Alberto permit.
BlueRock Diamonds' shares fall on transition delays to 24-hour processing
BlueRock Diamonds' shares fell more than 5% as it said delays in the planned move to 24-hour processing would delay revenue and cash flows from the production and sale of diamonds.
IGas looking at $35m capital injection from Kerogen Capital
IGas Group updated the market on its previously-flagged restructuring options on Wednesday, confirming it was looking to proceed with a significant injection of capital.
Conygar confirms phase-one approval for Fishguard Habour Marina
Shares in Conygar Investment Company rose more than 2% as joint-venture company Conygar Stena Line Ltd said its phase-one application for Fishguard Harbour Marina project was approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.
Premier Oil agrees refinancing terms with some bondholders
Premier Oil announced on Wednesday that amended terms to its $245m convertible bonds had been agreed with all members of an ad hoc committee of convertible bondholders.
InnovaDerma completes purchase of Aussie skincare brands
UK developer of 'at-home' and clinically proven treatments for hair loss, hair care, self-tanning and skin rejuvenation InnovaDerma announced on Wednesday that it has completed the acquisitions of the intellectual property and assets of the 'Stevie K' and 'Charles + Lee' brands from Stevie K Cosmetics and Charles + Lee, announced on 27 February 2016.
London midday: Stocks extend gains as pound drops
Stocks in London had extended gains by midday, with the pound losing ground against the dollar amid rising expectations of a US interest-rate hike, as investors sifted through a barrage of corporate and economic releases.
Trump calls for $1trn infrastructure investment to 'restart engine' of US economy
Donald Trump on Tuesday night delivered a predictably upbeat first speech to Congress as US President, reiterating several of his bold pledges but without providing much detail the business community was looking for apart from asking for backing for a $1tn (£800bn) infrastructure package.
Europe midday: Stocks rally on expectations of US rate hike
European stocks rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by a weaker euro on expectations of a March US interest rate hike.
Sula Iron & Gold confirms drill-rig arrival at Dalakuru
Sierra Leone-focused gold company Sula Iron & Gold said two diamond drill rigs arrived yesterday at its Dalakuru exploration camp, on the Ferensola project site.