Market Pulse
UK mortgage approvals rise 6% in 2015, BBA reveals
UK mortgage approvals in 2015 rose 6% compared to a year ago to £137. 8bn, according to data on Wednesday.
Exane cuts Croda International to underperform
Exane BNP Paribas has cut Croda International from ‘neutral’ to ‘underperform’, citing tougher competition, slower growth and lower margins.
Paragon Group celebrates bank profits
Paragon Group of Companies was celebrating the first quarter in which its banking division turned a profit on Wednesday, with its buy-to-let division also growing sizeably in the three months to 31 December 2015.
Britvic first quarter revenue rises, reiterates 2016 guidance
Soft drinks maker Britvic reported a rise in first quarter revenue as it reiterated its full year earnings guidance.
Deltex Medical sales flat as weak UK offsets strong US performance
Investors were left unimpressed after Deltex Medical said its 2015 sales were pretty much flat on the year, with revenue in the UK on the slide.
RPS announces more cost cutting amid deteriorating market conditions
RPS Group said its results for 2015 fell within the range of market expectations despite turmoil in the oil and gas sector.
London Capital Group expects £13.9m full year loss
London Capital Group is expecting to post an adjusted loss before tax for the year to 31 December of £13. 9m, down from a pre-tax profit in 2014 of £1. 1m.
Range Resources continues development despite low oil prices
Range Resources was pressing ahead with development at its Trinidad sites, despite the low oil price environment causing serious uncertainty.
HSBC ups easyJet ahead of May balance sheet review
HSBC upgraded easyJet to ‘hold’ from ‘reduce’, lifting the target price to 1,575p from 1,500p following the recent share price correction and ahead of the company’s balance sheet strategy presentation in May.
Just Eat slides as Morgan Stanley highlights increasing competition
Shares in Just Eat were under pressure after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to ‘underweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and cut the price target to 390p from 450p.
London open: FTSE flat ahead of FOMC interest rate decision
The FTSE 100 was flat on Wednesday as investors braced for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement.
Europe open: Stocks little changed as investors look to Fed announcement
European stocks were little changed in early trade, with investors seemingly reluctant to make any big bets either way ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement.
Wizz Air's net profit dips but company upgrades outlook
An increase of 23% in passenger numbers during Wizz Air’s third quarter has seen the airline post a substantial rise in underlying net profit, and improved its guidance for the year.
Creston issues profit warning as clients draw in horns on economic concerns
Creston has warned that full year profits will be below last year's after several clients delayed or cut project spending due to increasing concerns about trading.
German consumer sentiment steady, says GfK
Market research group GfK’s forward-looking German consumer sentiment indicator was flat in February compared with the previous month at 9. 4, a touch ahead of economists’ expectations for a nudge down to 9. 3.
Brewin Dolphin delivers growth in face of market volatility
Despite the unstable markets towards the end of the year, Brewin Dolphin grew total funds under management by 3. 8% in the three months to end-December thanks to a market-beating investment performance and a reasonable net inflow.
Tritax Big Box to raise £100m for further investments
Tritax Big Box REIT announced plans to raise £100m through a placing, open offer and subscription of new ordinary shares, which will be used to make further investments.
Strong end to a tough year for Antofagasta
Antofagasta was looking at a strong end to a tough year, as it updated the market on its fourth quarter on Wednesday.
Rio Tinto offloads Australian thermal coal project for $224m
Rio Tinto has agreed to sell its Mount Pleasant thermal coal project in Australia for an initial $83m rising to $224m (£156m) plus future royalties.
Tough first quarter for Aberdeen Asset Management
Difficult market conditions were making for a tough start to the year for Aberdeen Asset Management with its net flows remaining in the red.