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Cohort reports record first half
Independent technology company Cohort reported record half-year results on Wednesday, with significant growth in revenue, profit, and its order book.
Revenue, earnings fall for newly-demerged Optima Health
Corporate health and wellbeing solutions provider Optima Health reported an 11% decline in revenue in its interim results on Wednesday, to £50. 8m.
Asia report: Markets mixed as investors look to China policy summit
Asia-Pacific markets ended mixed on Wednesday, as investors awaited the outcome of China’s annual economic work conference.
ProCook H1 underlying losses widen
Kitchenware brand ProCook said on Wednesday that underlying losses had widened in the six months ended 13 October, partly due to a contraction in gross margins.
Inditex disappoints despite jump in sales, profits
Shares in Zara owner Inditex came under pressure on Wednesday, despite a solid start to the festive shopping season, after earnings narrowly missed expectations.
HSBC upgrades Reckitt Benckiser to ‘buy’
HSBC upgraded Reckitt Benckiser on Wednesday to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 5,500p from 4,800p as it took a look at the outlook for consumer staples next year.
Gulf Keystone ups buyback after "positive year"
Kurdistan-focused oil producer Gulf Keystone Petroleum has said it remains committed to returning excess cash to shareholders despite a difficult operating environment, as the company raised its share buyback plan by $10m.
Europe open: Stoxx slips on corporate updates ahead of US CPI
European shares opened lower on Wednesday as traders eyed corporate updates and also turned their attention to US inflation data later in the day.
London open: Stocks fall ahead of US inflation reading
London stocks fell in early trade on Wednesday, taking their cue from a downbeat session on Wall Street as investors eyed the latest US inflation reading.
Zalando to buy rival About You in €1.1bn deal
German online fashion retailer Zalando said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy About You in a deal that values its rival at around €1. 1bn.
Billington set to beat full-year market expectations
Structural steel and construction safety solutions specialist Billington said in an update on Wednesday that it expects its profit before tax for the year ending 31 December to exceed current market expectations.
British American Tobacco reaffirms full-year guidance
British American Tobacco reaffirmed its full-year guidance for 2024 on Wednesday, supported by a stronger second half driven by investments in its US commercial operations and innovation in its ‘New Categories’ portfolio.
Volution revenue rises amid solid UK residential performance
Volution reported a rise in revenue on Wednesday as it hailed a particularly strong performance in the UK residential market.
S&U reports mixed trading amid motor finance challenges
Specialist motor and property financier S&U reported a mixed trading performance for the period between 1 August and 10 December on Wednesday, amid challenging conditions in the UK financial services sector.
London pre-open: Stocks seen down ahead of US inflation data
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Wednesday following a downbeat session on Wall Street and as investors eyed the latest US inflation reading.
Endeavour to conduct definitive study at Assafou-Dibibango, BAT on track with full-year targets
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 38 points lower on Wednesday, having closed down 0. 86% on Tuesday at 8,280. 36.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Avanti West Coast, car finance scandal, Boots
Train managers at Avanti West Coast are to strike in a dispute over rest day working. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union plan to walk out on 22, 23 and 29 December. Union members voted overwhelmingly against the company’s proposals. – Guardian.