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Broker tips: Worldpay, Imagination, UK leisure
Berenberg downgraded Worldpay to 'hold' from 'buy' but lifted the price target to 450p from 327p following news on Tuesday that the payments processor has received preliminary approaches from Vantiv Inc and JPMorgan Chase Bank.
Results round-up
Specialist building products distributor SIG updated the market on its trading in the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, which the board said was “in line” with expectations.
Falanx announces acquisition of Cloudified for cash and shares
Falanx, a cyber defence and intelligence provider working with blue chip and government clients worldwide announced the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Cloudified.
PM May defends public sector pay cap after Corbyn attack
PM Theresa May defended the government’s stance on austerity and reiterated her support for the 1% public sector pay cap during PMQs on Wednesday, despite claims that government ministers want it scrapped.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher despite geopolitical tensions
Shares moved slightly into the black following dovish comments from another top official at the European Central Bank, although traders were keeping a close eye on events in Qatar and on the North Korean peninsula.
London close: Investors brush off profit-taking in oil, weak data
London stocks brushed aside profit-taking in oil and weak readings on the economy to end the day higher.
TfL launches tunnels map to help those with claustrophobia
Londoners with claustrophobia or other anxiety conditions could find Tube journeys less stressful from Wednesday, as Transport for London launched a new map indicating which stations and parts of the TfL underground and rail network were in tunnels.
Biffa aquires rival O'Brien for £35.2m in cash
Biffa announced Wednesday completion of the acquisition of O'Brien Waste Recycling Solutions Holding.
UK new car sales slow for third month in a row
The UK new car market has declined for a third consecutive month in June after five consecutive years of solid growth and there are concerns of further falls.
Walker Greenbank opens 'Style Library' at Chelsea Harbour
Luxury interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank opened a new ‘Style Library’ showroom at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour in London on Wednesday, as part of its initiative to bring together its portfolio of brands.
OECD report shows progress towards fairer international tax system
International tax systems are making progress in becoming fairer and more effective, a report led by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría has concluded.
US open: Oil futures succumb to profit-taking ahead of FOMC minutes
Wall Street's main indices were trading on a mixed note amid profit-taking in oil and as investors looked to the release of the latest Federal Reserve minutes later in the day.
Sector movers: Food retailers bought, oil stocks see profit taking
Food retailers led UK stocks higher on Wednesday amid a report about improving shop prices and a strong update from wholesaler and convenience store owner Booker.
SimiGon finishes 2013 contract, angles for more business
Simulation training solutions provider SimiGon confirmed on Wednesday the successful completion of all systems delivery milestones, and the reception of the requisite client confirmations in relation to the $6. 7m contract announced on 24 June 2013.
CityFibre raising £200m as it expands to residential service
Designer, builder, owner and operator of fibre optic infrastructure CityFibre Infrastructure Holdings announced on Wednesday that it intended to raise minimum gross proceeds of £185m at 55p per share, fully underwritten by Citigroup, finnCap, Liberum and Macquarie, with the intention to raise further proceeds through an accelerated bookbuilding process.
IAG traffic gains ahead of BA strike
British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidated Airlines Group said airline traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres, rose 3. 9% in June compared to the same month last year.
Worldpay tanks as JPMorgan quashes hopes of bidding war
Shares in London-listed payments processor Worldpay fell sharply on Wednesday after JPMorgan Chase Bank quashed any hopes investors might have had of a bidding war by saying it does not intend to make an offer for the company.
FX round-up: Sterling steadies after taking hit from services data
The pound lost ground versus the dollar on Wednesday as weak services data added to the already-uninspiring picture painted by manufacturing and construction figures earlier the week, but by late afternoon the currency had recouped its losses.
Strong demand from SME sector drives full-year results for 1pm
Independent specialist finance facilities provider 1pm continued to experience “strong levels of demand” for finance from the small-to-medium enterprise sector in its 2017 financial year, it reported on Wednesday, which was spread across the “growing range” of products offered.
Thursday preview: Spotlight on AB Foods and Bovis
Primark owner Associated British Foods is due to release a update for its third quarter's trading on Thursday, while housebuilder Bovis Homes will publish a first-half trading update fresh on the heels of a strong report from sector peer Persimmon.