Fidelity Top Stories
London close: Stocks finish April in risk-on mood
London stocks reversed course to finish the month of April on a positive note, despite the selling centred on lenders' shares after first-quarter earnings from NatWest failed to impress.
Expanding demand crucial to continuation of current recovery, Chinese Politburo says
China's Politburo said that expanding demand was crucial to sustaining the current recovery.
US personal spending unchanged in March as price pressures ease
Personal incomes grew a tad more quickly than expected during the previous month, but spending was unchanged.
NatWest shares fall on deposit outflows, despite forecast-beating Q1 profit
Shares in NatWest fell in early London trade despite the UK bank reporting better-than-expected first-quarter profit driven by higher interest rates, although there was a sharp drop in deposits as customers chased better rates as incomes were squeezed by rising inflation.
Rotork sees FY slightly ahead as Q1 sales rise on strong order book
Specialist engineer Rotork said it expected adjusted operating profit to be slightly ahead of expectations driven by strong order intake.
Pearson underlying Q1 sales rise 6%; plans £300m buyback in H2
Education publisher Pearson said it was on track to meet annual guidance and announced a £300m share buyback to start in the second half of the year as underlying group sales rose 6%.
Tullow Oil in asset swap deal with Perenco
Tullow Oil has signed an asset swap agreement with Perenco Oil and Gas to optimise its equity ownership across key fields in Gabon through a cashless asset swap, the company said on Friday.
Hikma upgrades FY guidance, cautious on Sudan impact
Hikma Pharmaceuticals upgraded full-year guidance after a stronger-than-expected start to the year for its generics business but expressed concern about the impact of the current conflict in Sudan on operations.
Barclays holds guidance as Q1 profit jumps 16%; Shares gain
Barclays said it was on track to meet full-year guidance as it posted a 16% jump in pre-tax profits driven by growth across all its businesses.
US GDP growth slows unexpectedly at the start of 2023
The American economy grew more slowly than anticipated at the start of 2023.
Sainsburys lifts guidance despite squeeze on FY profits amid price war
UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's on Thursday lifted guidance for the current fiscal year after posting a fall in 2022/23 profits as it spent £560m to keep prices low in the battle for consumers amid the cost of living crisis.
Capricorn Energy shares slump despite $575m payout pledge
Troubled oil and gas producer Capricorn Energy is planning to give shareholders $575m in payouts after a failed merger, boardroom clearout and radical cut in operations.
Spectris holds guidance as Q1 sales rise 24% on strong order book
Precision instrument maker Spectris held annual guidance as first quarter sales rose 24% driven by a strong order book and easing of supply chain constraints.
Glencore buys stake in Brazil assets from Norsk Hydro for $700m
Miner and commodities trader Glencore said it was buying a 30% stake in Brazilian alumina refinery Alunorte and a 5% stake in bauxite producer Mineracao Rio do Norte from Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro for around $700m.
Schroders posts rise in Q1 AuM
Fund manager Schroders reported a rise in its assets under management for the first three months of 2023.
DS Smith sees FY in line as prices offset lower volumes
Paper and packaging group held full-year guidance as higher prices offset forecast lower volumes.
US visible trade deficit narrows sharply
America's shortfall on trade in goods with the rest of the world narrowed sharply and unexpectedly last month.
GSK Q1 beats estimates
GSK first quarter profits and revenue both beat expectations driven by its shingles and meningitis treatments, among others.
Bunzl sees annual revenue slightly ahead of expectations
International distribution specialist Bunzl said it expected annual revenue and operating margin to be slightly ahead of forecasts as it reported a rise in first-quarter sales of 8. 4%.
US new home sales jump in April, prices rise
Home selling activity in the States picked up unexpectedly last month.