Latest News
Asia report: Markets mixed as tech stocks surge
Markets in Asia were mixed on Wednesday, with the technology sector receiving a particular boost after the release of broadly positive third quarter numbers from US electronics giant Apple overnight.
Realm Therapeutics submits second US drug application this year
Realm Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has filed an application for its second investigational new drug with the US Food and Drug Administration in six months.
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher as Apple rallies on earnings
US futures pointed to a firmer open on Wall Street on Wednesday as shares in tech giant Apple surged in pre-market trade following well-received third-quarter earnings.
Trump administration mulling trade action against China
The US government is planning to take trade action against China, as worries grow in Donald Trump's administration over Beijing’s move to compete at the top level of international commerce.
Europe open: Strong euro and 'seasonality' blamed for putting dampener on stocks
European stocks were mostly in the red on Wednesday as the euro continued its ascent.
B&M moves into convenience by swooping for Heron
Retailer B&M European Value has snapped up profitable fellow discounter Heron Food Group for £152m as a move into the convenience market, moving on from rumours that it was itself a takeover target for Asda.
AdEPT raises £7.3m to acquire Atomwide
Unified communications and managed IT services provider AdEPT Telecom announced on Wednesday that it has signed a £7. 3m convertible loan instrument with Business Growth Fund, and also agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of UK-based specialist education sector IT provider Atomwide.
RSA Insurance H1 operating profit up 15% but divi disappoints
RSA Insurance reported a 15% rise in first-half group operating profit on Wednesday thanks to strong performances in Scandinavia and Canada, but the increase in its dividend fell short of expectations.
Ryanair traffic rises 12% in July
Low-cost carrier Ryanair reported an 11% rise in passenger numbers for July as the load factor ticked higher.
StanChart profit up 82% but no dividend
Standard Chartered reported an 82% jump in first-half profit on Wednesday but shares in the bank slumped, with analysts pointing to potential disappointment that the dividend was not reinstated early.
Dignity H1 profit rises as deaths increase
FTSE 250 funeral company Dignity reported a rise in first-half profit on Wednesday as deaths increased.
Apple hits new high as revenues rise even before new iPhone launch
Apple shares reached a record high overnight after the tech colossus announced it had sold 41m iPhones in the last three months, and also stated that the iPhone 8 would not be delayed as previously reported.
AG Barr grows sales ahead of market but profit margins squeezed
AG Barr, the maker of Irn-Bru and other soft drinks, said it had increased sales 8% in the first half of the year but profit margins were flattened slightly by increased investment and higher costs resulting from the weak pound.
Rio Tinto slides as huge cash return disappoints
After slashing costs and selling assets, Rio Tinto said it would return $3bn of cash to shareholders for the first half of 2017, but revenues, profits and the dividend came in shy of forecasts.
Aggreko revenue stable while earnings slide
Aggreko’s group revenue rose 16% in its first half to £792m pre-exceptional items, the company said on Wednesday, although excluding pass-through fuel and currency fluctuations, it was in line with the same time last year.
London open: Stocks nudge lower as miners drop; construction data eyed
London stocks nudged a touch lower in early trade on Wednesday despite a strong showing in the US, where Apple shares hit an all-time high in after-hours trading after solid third-quarter results, as mining issues weighed.
Wizz Air load factors improve as it removes cabin bag charges
Central and Eastern Europe-focussed low cost carrier Wizz Air saw passenger number rise 23. 7% year-on-year in July to 2,827,331, it said on Wednesday, as capacity improved 21. 3% to 2,465,720 seats during the month.
BAE Systems bullish about defence budgets, restructures cyber security arm
BAE Systems' new chief executive Charles Woodburn presented a strong set of interim results on Wednesday, keeping the aerospace and defence group on an even keel and firing off a confident view on the outlook.
Online focus pays out for William Hill in first half
Bookmaker William Hill saw revenue improve 3% in its first half to £837m, it said on Wednesday, although adjusted operating profit fell 1% to £129. 5m.
Weak containerboard supply and rising costs hit Smurfit Kappa earnings
Smurfit Kappa saw its revenue improve 5% in its first half to €4. 23bn, it reported on Wednesday, although EBITDA was off 4% at €569m.