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Imperial Brands sparks up interim dividend 10pc as investment pays off
Cigarette company Imperial Brands rolled another fat dividend for the first half of the year as earnings came out ahead of expectations despite continued tobacco volumes declines, a major increase in investment and growing debt pile.
Europe open: Stocks on backfoot as Brussels ups price of Brexit divorce settlement
Stocks started the session on a slightly lower note amid news that the European Union had raised its 'Brexit bill' to up to €100. 0bn and ahead of a televised French election debate later in the day between the two remaining candidates.
JD Wetherspoon sees FY trading outcome ahead of expectations
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon said on Wednesday that its trading outcome for the year is likely to be ahead of previous expectations following better-than-expected sales so far this year.
Galliford Try tanks as it takes £98m hit from legacy contracts
Shares in Galliford Try tanked on Wednesday as the company said it has set aside £98m to cover the cost of two major legacy contracts.
Spirax-Sarco completes acquisition of Gestra
Steam, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid path technology engineer Spirax-Sarco Engineering announced on Wednesday that the acquisition of Gestra and its associated businesses had been completed.
EVRAZ offloads stake in Nakhodka Port for $354m
EVRAZ announced on Wednesday that it signed an agreement to dispose of the entire issued share capital of its fully-owned subsidiary joint stock company EVRAZ Nakhodka Trade Sea Port to its majority shareholder Lanebrook for consideration of $354. 4m.
Mitie taking accounting write-down, trying to avoid covenant breach
Facilities management, connected workspace and professional services business Mitie Group issued an update for the financial year ended to 31 March on Wednesday, following a policies and balance sheet review undertaken by the company and KPMG.
IP Group gets involved in Ultrahaptics fundraising round
Developer of intellectual property-based businesses IP Group noted on Wednesday that its portfolio company, Ultrahaptics, had completed a fundraising of £17. 9m.
Direct Line Group continues to motor ahead in Q1, reiterates guidance
Business at Direct Line Group continued to motor ahead during the first quarter of the year, driven by demand for its own brand motor insurance, with the company reiterating its guidance for key metrics in fiscal year 2017 despite a challenging home market.
Argos pushes Sainsbury's sales higher while earnings sink
Supermarket chain and retail group J Sainsbury posted its preliminary results for the year to 11 March on Wednesday, with group sales - including VAT - up 12. 7% to £29. 11bn, which the board said was mainly as a result of the contribution from its 2016 acquisition Argos.
Paddy Power Betfair revenue boosted by weaker pound, Cheltenham
Paddy Power Betfair reported an 87% rise in first-quarter earnings as revenues were boosted by the weaker pound and favourable results at Cheltenham.
Barclays reinstates BP as Top Pick, eyes potential for positive surprises
Analysts at Barclays re-instated BP as their Top Pick in the European oils sector in anticipation of a "material and sustained" improvement in the oil major's free cash flow.
Sage H1 profit rises as subscriptions grow
Software group Sage posted a jump in first-half profit as subscriptions rose and it said it expects to exceed its full-year revenue guidance.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of Fed; French election in focus
London stocks were set for a lower open on Wednesday as investors shifted their attention to the French election and looked ahead to the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Food and drink exports, Apple, Jes Staley
Leaving the European Union without a trade deal in place could put up to 97% of British food and drink exports at risk, according to a House of Lords report that lays bare the agricultural industry’s overwhelming reliance on local markets. As negotiations between the EU and British government appear to take a turn for worse, concerns are growing that failure to reach an exit deal could leave many industries facing steep tariff barriers in future – something government ministers hope could be offset by opportunities in other international export markets.