Market Pulse
TyraTech secures major distribution deal for livestock insect control
TyraTech will launch its new range of agricultural insect-control products into the US poultry market before the end of the current quarter, with a distribution agreement signed with a major player.
Capital & Regional buys Hemel Hempstead shopping centre
Capital & Regional announced the acquisition of the Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead along with the release of its second half trading update.
Asia: Stocks mostly higher after China trade data
Asia stocks were mostly higher on Wednesday after data showed China’s trade surplus rose more than expected.
Telit Communications acquires Bluetooth assets from German company
Telit Communications has announced it will acquire Bluetooth assets from German company Stollmann Entwicklungs und Vertriebs.
Eurozone industrial production falls short of estimates
Eurozone industrial production fell 0. 7% in November from October, according to data released by Eurostat.
Independent Oil & Gas crashes on well postponement
Independent Oil & Gas shares crashed after the company said it was delaying the Skipper appraisal well in the North Sea "until there is greater stability and clarity in the oil market".
Aegon surges on share buyback, cost-cutting plans
Shares in Aegon surged after the Dutch insurance group announced a €400m (£299m) share buyback and lifted its 2015 dividend.
Premier Oil shares suspended ahead of possible M&A announcement
Premier Oil shares have been suspended from trading on Wednesday morning pending the announcement of a potential acquisition of assets which may be classed as a reverse takeover under the Financial Conduct Authority listing rules.
Shoe Zone rallies as it declares special dividend
Shares in Shoe Zone rose on Wednesday as the specialist value footwear retailer declared a special dividend despite “a difficult year” for the industry.
Lloyds downgraded on Exane's bleak outlook for sector
Exane BNP Paribas has downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from ‘neutral’ to ‘underperform’ and reiterated its ‘underperform’ rating for Barclays on a bleak operational outlook for UK banks.
Hays posts 7% jump in second quarter net fees
Recruitment group Hays reported a rise in second quarter net fees thanks to solid demand in Continental Europe.
London open: Stocks gain after better-than-forecast China trade data
London stocks gained on Wednesday after Chinese trade data came in better than expected.
Sainsbury's expects stronger second half after happy Christmas
Sainsbury's like-for-like retail sales were down 0. 4% over the festive third quarter but by less than the 0. 7% forecast, leading the grocer to say that the second half as a whole is likely to be better than the first.
Miners might put in a better showing as the year progresses, Citi says
Shares of miners may perform better as the year progresses driven mainly by improvements in their balance sheets and cash flows, whereas markets appeared to be most worried at present with their spot earnings, Citi said on Wednesday.
Europe open: Stocks push higher after better-than-expected China data
European stocks rose in early trade, as investors took heart from some better-than-expected Chinese trade figures.
Mild weather hits Dunelm Group's results
Dunelm Group said the mild weather has seen the number of people entering its stores decrease, but home delivery sales are on the rise.
Sports Direct snaps up stakes in Dick's Sporting Goods and Iconix Brand
Under-fire retailer Sports Direct has revealed two 'strategic' investments in the US as it looks to reduce reliance on its domestic market.
French CPI flat in December as energy prices weigh
French consumer prices rose slightly more than expected in December as energy prices slipped sharply.
LondonMetric JV sells three UK retail parks
LondonMetric Property’s joint venture with Universities Superannuation Scheme, Metric Income Plus Limited Partnership, has sold its retail parks at Camborne, Haverhill and Bristol for £29. 5m, reflecting a blended net initial yield of 5. 8%.
Galliford Try sounds upbeat note on first half
Housebuilding and construction group Galliford Try pointed to solid trading across the board in the first half, as its order book rose in an improving market.