Market Pulse
Wednesday newspaper share tips: PZ Cussons' Australian acquisitions stretching the balance sheet
PZ Cussons’ balance sheet is looking stretched according to The Telegraph’s Questor, prompting the columnist to rate the shares at ‘sell’ on Wednesday.
Cello says 2015 trading in line; new year has started well
Health and consumer strategic marketing company Cello Group said trading in the year ended 31 December 2015 was good, with revenue and profit in line with market expectations.
Blur Group talks up Q4 efficiency improvements
Blur Group was talking up its efficiency and cost improvements in its fourth quarter trading update on Wednesday, as it warmed up the market ahead of its full-year results.
London midday: Stocks decline ahead of Fed's interest rate decision
London stocks were generally lower on Wednesday, along with oil prices, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s latest decision on interest rates.
EU fines Japanese car parts cartel €138m
Mitsubishi Electric (Melco) and Hitachi have been hit with a €137. 8m (£135m) penalty by the European Union's executive arm for running a cartel to fix prices for alternators and starters.
Paddy Power sees 2015 operating profit up at €180m
Paddy Power said on Wednesday it expects to report a rise in full year operating profit before exceptional items as it announced a good end to last year.
Italy´s debt load will begin declining in 2016, Unicredit says
A weak rate of growth in nominal gross domestic product - as a result of low inflation - had kept the country´s stock of debt as a percentage of gross domestic product from declining, Unicredit Research economist Dr. Loredana Federico said in a research note sent to clients.
Europe midday: Stocks in the red as investors exercise caution ahead of Fed
European stocks fell as investors erred on the side of caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement, with energy issues under pressure as oil prices slipped.
Low farmgate prices impacts Wynnstay results
Lower farmgate prices had a big impact on Wynnstay Group in 2015, with its agricultural customers keeping their wallets closed.
ISG stands firm against Cathexis offer
ISG said fewer than 2% of shareholders had accepted the 143p-a-share takeover offer from shareholder Cathexis UK Holdings and that, with trading having remained stable, it continued to recommend rejecting the offer.
Asia report: China claws back early losses, closes slightly lower
China once again dominated the day in Asia, with its main index closing down slightly after having recovered from some serious losses early in the session.
Credit Suisse upgrades ICAP on deal synergies
Credit Suisse upgraded interdealer broker ICAP to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ saying deal synergies and the stock’s re-rating potential appeared to be undervalued.
Reports CompareTheMarket.com owner exploring public listing
BGL Group, which owns price comparison website CompareTheMarket. com and insurance brand Dial Direct, is considering a public listing, according to Sky News.
Italian consumer confidence improves in January
The mood among Italian consumers was more buoyant at the start of the year as the perception of their personal circumstances improved markedly.
Shore Capital praises RBS clean-up plan
Shore Capital reiterated its ‘buy’ rating on Royal Bank of Scotland after the bank reported a surprise hit to its balance sheet as part of a clean-up plan.
House price growth slows in January, Nationwide data shows
UK house prices continues to rise steadily in January, but at a slower rate than had been forecast.
Dixons Carphone's improvements prompt Investec upgrade
Investec has upgraded Dixons Carphone from ‘add’ to ‘buy’ as the company’s core businesses improve and gain market share.
Ophir Energy says BP veteran William Schrader to be chairman
William Schrader will replace Nicholas Smith as chairman of oil and gas company Ophir Energy with effect from 30 April.
Staffline hikes dividend as profits and revenue rise
Staffline posted a rise in pre-tax profit for the year ended 31 December as revenues grew and the company lifted its dividend 48%, saying it expects to exceed current market expectations for 2016.
Panmure Gordon reiterates hold on Sage
Sage´s first quarter management statement contained both positives and negatives and with the stock trading at a slight premium to its sector Panmure Gordon reiterated its recommendation to 'hold'.