Market Pulse
Moneysupermarket revenue rises but holiday markets challenging
Group revenue at price comparison website Moneysupermarket. com rose in the first quarter although revenue from TravelSuperMarket. com declined in a tough market.
Intermediate Capital to receive EUR128m from sale of Parkeon
Intermediate Capital Group has made a solid gain on its investment in French parking meter and public transport ticketing group Parkeon, which was sold to Paris based private equity group Astorg on Tuesday.
London open: Stocks fall as oil prices reverse gains
UK stocks declined on Wednesday as oil prices reversed the previous day’s gains and investors awaited jobs data.
Europe open: Stocks edge lower as oil prices drop
European stocks edged lower in early trade following mixed sessions in the US and Asia, as oil prices lost ground.
Rentokil Initial posts strong start to year
Royal rat-catcher Rentokil Initial posted a strong start to the year on Wednesday, with growth across most of its businesses and a number of acquisitions in its first quarter.
German producer prices fall more than expected in March
German producer prices were flat on the month in March versus economists' expectations for a 0. 2% increase, according to data from Destatis.
BHP Billiton lowers guidance for Western Australian Iron Ore
BHP Billiton was talking up its strengths in a trading update on Wednesday, as it lowered its production guidance for iron ore.
GKN first-quarter trading in line
Engineering group GKN reported a rise in sales in the first quarter, but a drop in the group trading margin.
ARM Holdings flexes licensing growth in strong first quarter
First quarter results from ARM Holdings indicated the microchip processor maker remains at the forefront of technology and analysts forecasts, with licence revenue also bouncing back to growth after a slow finish to last year.
Wickes shines in strong first quarter for Travis Perkins
FTSE 100 builders’ merchant Travis Perkins reported a first quarter of solid growth on Wednesday, with total sales growth of 5%.
Bunzl first-quarter revenue up 13%
FTSE 100 distribution company Bunzl reported a rise in first-quarter revenue and expressed confidence over its ability to deliver further growth.
London pre-open: Stocks seen weaker ahead of UK unemployment rate
London stocks were expected to open lower following mixed US and Asian sessions, as oil prices retreated and investors looked ahead to the release of the UK unemployment rate.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Brexit, Apple, Tata, Hinkley Point
Britain will move outside the EU’s single market and instead join “Bosnia, Serbia, Albania and Ukraine” in a European free-trade zone if voters choose Brexit in June’s referendum, according to a vision outlined on Tuesday by Michael Gove. The pro-Brexit justice secretary for the first time confirmed that the Leave camp did not want Britain to remain part of the EU’s tariff-free bloc of 500m consumers in which British-based banks can trade under a “passport” scheme.