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Europe open: Stocks gain as traders wait on central banks
European stocks headed higher at the start of trading with central banks squarely in focus, especially the US Federal Reserve.
London open: FTSE rises with Burberry and Barratt to the fore
London stocks gained ground on Wednesday morning after two days of losses, as the pound fell.
Full-year completions at nine year high says Barratt
Barratt Developments claimed to be the UK’s largest housebuilder in a trading update on Wednesday, reporting total completions in its full year to 30 June - including those from joint ventures - of 17,395.
UK government unlikely to deliver good Brexit deal, Moody's says
Ratings agency Moody’s has joined the chorus warning of a slowdown in the UK economy and said things could get a lot worse as the government was unlikely to secure a Brexit deal that was not damaging.
B&M European Value off to a flier thanks to hot weather and groceries
Discount chain operator B&M European Value Retail set off at an impressive pace in its new financial year, it revealed on Wednesday, buoyed by strong sales of garden furniture in the recent hot spell.
Daejan Holdings makes solid progress in year through March
London-based property business Daejan Holdings posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 March on Wednesday morning, with its investment property figure for the year rising to £2. 26bn from £2. 01bn at the same time last year.
Burberry's Gobbetti eyes better store productivity, promises 'new energy'
New Burberry chief executive Marco Gobbetti began his reign with an encouraging first quarter and a promise to create "new energy to drive growth" amid what he said was "a time of great change" for the company and the wider luxury industry.
NEX Group sees solid revenue growth in first quarter
Financial technology company NEX Group saw group revenue rise 10% on a constant currency basis in its first quarter, it reported in a trading update on Wednesday morning, with revenue for the three months to 30 June improving 20% on a reported basis.
SSP sales speed higher in third quarter
Sales accelerated at SSP Group, which operates food and drink outlets in airports, train and motorway service stations for the likes of Burger King, Starbucks and Upper Crust, in the third quarter, which was slightly ahead of management expectations.
Hochschild Mining on track to meet 2017 targets
Hochschild Mining reported ‘robust’ attributable production in its second quarter on Wednesday, with 4. 2 million ounces of silver, 60,815 ounces of gold, 9. 3 million silver equivalent ounces and 126,007 gold equivalent ounces.
Strong fourth quarter at Wetherspoon as chairman attacks FCA
Like-for-like sales at pub chain JD Wetherspoon rose 5. 3% in the 11 weeks to 9 July, its said in its pre-close trading update on Wednesday, with total sales in the period rising 3. 6%.
Riverstone portfolio firm makes 'significant' offshore Mexico discovery
One of Riverstone Energy’s portfolio companies, Sierra Oil & Gas, said it had discovered “significant quantities” of oil in its primary target formation at the Zama 1 well on Wednesday.
UDG Healthcare swallows Vynamic in up-to-$32m deal
International healthcare services provider UDG Healthcare confirmed the acquisition of US-based healthcare industry management consulting firm Vynamic on Wednesday, for a total consideration of up to $32m.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Amec Foster Wheeler, British economy, Cashless society
Amec Foster Wheeler has been put under formal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office as part of a bribery and corruption investigation casting fresh doubts over its proposed £2. 2 billion merger with Wood Group. In a statement to investors after the market had closed, Amec said that it had been told by the SFO that an investigation had been opened into the “past use of third parties and possible bribery and corruption and related offences”. - The Times.
London pre-open: FTSE 100 to start higher after remarks from MPC's Broadbent
Shares are expected to begin the session trading on the front foot on the back of dovish comments from the Monetary Policy Committee's Ben Broadbent and ahead of eagerly-awaited testimony from US central bank chief Janet Yellen later in the day.
Amec Foster Wheeler under investigation by Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into Amec Foster Wheeler over the engineer's work with consultant Unaoil and possible related bribery and corruption offences.