Market Pulse
Transition, expansion pays off for easyHotel
Stelios' charge into the hotel sector paid off for another year on Wednesday, with easyHotel reporting a healthy boost to its earnings.
Tritax Big Box acquires Matalan distribution centre
Tritax Big Box has purchased Matalan Retail’s Northern Distribution Centre at Knowsley Business Park in Liverpool.
Flowgroup's subsidiary signs Shell deal
Alternative energy technologies supplier Flowgroup said one its subsidiary has signed a five-year deal with Shell Energy Europe.
German trade balance narrows in October
Germany’s trade balance narrowed in October, as exports and imports declined, figures released on Wednesday showed.
Circassia appoints new non-exec director
Marvin Samson has been appointed as non-executive director of Circassia Pharmaceuticals, the FTSE 250 group said on Tuesday.
Scholium paints bright picture despite global instability
The numbers were looking good at fine-arts trader Scholium Group in its interim report on Wednesday, despite cashed-up foreign customers shying away due to global instability.
London open: Stocks rebound after better-than-expected Chinese inflation
London stocks rebounded on Wednesday as Chinese inflation picked up in November.
Xchanging surges as it agrees to Computer Sciences offer
Xchanging shares surged on Wednesday after the business outsourcer said its board intends to unanimously recommend the cash offer from technology consulting company Computer Sciences Corp and withdraw its recommendation of the offer from London-listed peer Capita.
Europe open: Stocks waver as commodity prices steady
European stocks wavered in early trade as oil and metals prices steadied, but investors were struggling for direction amid a lack of market-moving news.
Serco loses £132.5m New Zealand prison contract
UK-listed Serco has been told that its contract to run Mt Eden Prison in Auckland, New Zealand will not be renewed.
Euromoney appoints new managing director
Christopher Fordham has been appointed as managing director of corporate development at Euromoney Institutional Investors, the business-to-business media company said.
BBA Aviation trading in line but aftermarket services under pressure
BBA Aviation said trading from 1 July to 21 November was in line in all of its businesses apart from the engine repair and overhaul division.
FirstGroup to turn Pennine route into profit-maker
Rail passengers in the Pennines were promised a better service on Wednesday morning, with the announcement that FirstGroup would continue to operate the franchise until at least 2023.
Pennon Group creates group CEO role
Pennon Group has created a new group chief executive role following a review of the water and waste company’s corporate structure.
BCC cuts UK growth forecasts on weak trade and manufacturing
The British Chambers of Commerce cut its outlook for UK growth this year and beyond, as it pointed to recent weak trade and manufacturing figures.
Workspace disposes of another industrial portfolio
Workspace Group announced the disposal of a light industrial portfolio on Wednesday, totalling three light industrial buildings in Park Royal, London.
Strong second quarter boosts Ashtead Group's half year profit
Equipment rental company Ashtead Group has posted a positive start to the year, with first half revenue growth of 18% driven by a strong second quarter.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Dow Chemical/DuPont, Yahoo, VW, Darling, Walt Disney
Dow Chemical and DuPont are in talks over a potential $120bn merger that would bring together America’s two largest chemicals companies, and then split them up into three new businesses, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. A deal between Dow and DuPont would be close to a merger of equals: Dow has a market capitalisation of $60bn and DuPont of $59bn at their closing share prices on Tuesday. – Financial Times.
London pre-open: Stocks seen higher but commodities remain in focus
London stocks are called to open higher on Wednesday, bouncing back from mining-led losses in the previous session.