Market Pulse
Numis bumps Cape up to a buy
A recent pull-back in the shares of Cape may have thrown up a 'window of opportunity' for investors in Cape, Numis said.
Numis reiterates 'hold' rating for Compass
Numis reiterated a ‘hold’ rating and target price of 1,150p for Compass after the food service company reported its first half results.
Canaccord stays at hold on Barratt Developments
Barratt Developments delivered a solid trading update, with management expressing confidence with respect both to the recent trading and the outlook, Canaccord Genuity said.
Asia report: Volatile oil makes for choppy trading
Markets in Asia made for choppy trading on Wednesday, following oil’s sliding lead as the yen pushed against the dollar.
William Hill disappoints again as online remains in doghouse
William Hill assured that trading has stabilised since its shock profit warning in March, but a mixed trading update did not impress analysts and investors much.
Newly-combined JRP Group says it's steady
JRP was looking strong as it chugged into the new calendar year, as the FTSE 250 group issued its first combined report as a merged company on Wednesday.
UK industrial sector slips back into recession after weak manufacturing rally
UK industrial output growth returned to growth in March, according to the Office for National Statistics, but at a slower rate than economists had predicted after a weak start to the year.
Europe open: Stocks tread water in heavy day for government debt auctions
European stocks got off to a soft start on Wednesday, giving back some of the previous session's gains as crude oil futures came under pressure.
Wood Group expects 2016 earnings to fall by a fifth
John Wood Group said it expects full year earnings will fall around 20%, in line with current market expectations.
OneSavings Bank adds £460m to loan book in Q1
Challenger lender and retail savings group OneSavings Bank describes its financial and operational performance in the year to date as “strong” on Wednesday, with new loans and advances growing £460m in the first quarter.
Oil futures under pressure as Canadian output expected to start gradual recovery
Crude oil futures gave back some of the previous day's gains following reports that Canadian oil sands firms were already looking to start production, even as the wildfires in Alberta continued to rage.
London open: Stocks fall as oil prices reverse gains
London stocks fell on Wednesday as oil prices reversed gains in the previous session and as investors awaited industrial and manufacturing data.
National Express makes 'strong start' to 2016
Passenger transport group National Express reported on a “strong start” to the year on Wednesday, updating the market on its operations for the first four months of 2016.
Barratt Developments lifts sales rate as demand remains strong
Housebuilder Barratt Developments improved its sales rate in the 19 weeks since the start of the year and confirmed market conditions remained "strong" with "good levels" of demand for new homes.
Revenue and earnings up at Compass
Underlying revenue grew 5. 8% at foodservice and support firm Compass Group in its first half, it reported on Wednesday, with the figure totalling £9. 7bn in the six months to 31 March.
Tui Group sails ahead as cruises offset tour trouble
After cutting first-half losses as revenues rose more than expected, travel group Tui Group revealed plans to sell UK sailing and outdoor holidays unit Specialist Group.
London pre-open: Industrial production data in focus
Shares were being called to start the day little changes despite the strong performance put in overnight by Wall Street on the back of commodities, especially crude oil futures due to reports of supply disruptions in Libya and Nigeria.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Saudi expansion, o2, Heathrow, Amazon
The boss of Saudi Arabia’s state oil producer set out plans for expansion yesterday as he prepares for a potential $2 trillion flotation that will create the world’s largest quoted company. Saudi Aramco, which has a monopoly on the country’s vast oil reserves, is set to further boost output despite pleas for restraint from rival Opec members reeling from a supply glut that has lowered prices. - The Times.
Experian hammered by foreign exchange headwinds
Information services group Experian grew total and organic revenue 5% at constant exchange rates in the year to 31 March, it reported on Wednesday, to $4. 55bn, with total revenue from continuing activities sitting at $4. 48bn.