Market Pulse
Henderson Group begins share buyback
Global investment management company Henderson Group announced on Wednesday its intention to start its on-market share buyback programme on 1 June.
Diageo appoints ex-Bacardi CEO as chairman
Diageo has appointed Javier Ferrán – a former chief executive at Bacardi and current non-executive director at SABMiller – as a non-executive director from 22 July.
Director dealings: ServicePower top brass show confidence as shares hit 2.5p
ServicePower Technologies's chairman and chief executive officer both snaffled shares in the company as the mobile workforce management software provider's shares reached their lowest level since the financial crisis.
Brussels postpones decision on excessive deficit in Portugal, Spain until July
The European Union's executive arm postponed its decision on whether Portugal and Spain should be fined for exceeding their respective goals for deficit reduction in 2015 and 2016 until July.
Centrica and Tullow gain as Norway awards 10 oil licences in Arctic Sea
Norway has awarded 10 new offshore oil exploration licences in the Arctic and the border zone with Russia, the first time the country has offer new acreage in twenty years.
FTSE 100 movers: Sale news boosts Lloyds while miners sink
The FTSE 100 was just in the red in Friday afternoon trading, as rock bottom copper prices dragged on miners, a mixed UK jobs report failed to inspire and traders awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting minutes for April.
FTSE 250 movers: Allied Minds surges but Marshalls slumps on update
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 4% to 16,785. 29 in afternoon trading.
Smith & Nephew cuts cord on gynaecology unit to fund USD300m buyback
Smith & Nephew has agreed to sell its gynaecology business for $350m to New York-based Medtronic, of which $300m will be returned to shareholder via a share buyback.
Patisserie Holdings serves up sweet profit and cash flow
Patisserie Holdings served up a bigger slice of half-time profits as the operator of the Patisserie Valerie chain demonstrated admirable discipline to widen margins in spite of the increased wage costs.
DX Group hub planning application rejected
DX Group said on Wednesday that it is now considering its options after its planning application for a new central hub in the West Midlands was not approved.
Panmure cuts Meggitt to 'sell'; expects more profit warnings
Panmure downgraded its stance on defence and aerospace engineer Meggitt to ‘sell’’ from ‘hold’ and cut its price target to 325p from 363p.
Brian Taylorson stepping down from Elementis
Specialty chemicals business Elementis announced on Wednesday that is group finance director, Brian Taylorson, will be stepping down from the board at some point in the next year.
Europe midday: Miners pace the decline as dollar firms on US rate hike expectations
European stocks nudged lower as expectations grew that the Federal Reserve will hike rates possibly as early as next month, with basic resources dented by a stronger dollar.
US hikes tariffs on Chinese steel, China
The US has slapped a 522% tariff on steel imported from China amid ongoing claims the world's biggest steel producer is distorting the global market by cheaply dumping its excess supply abroad.
Spire Healthcare deputy chairman to step down
Spire Healthcare’s deputy chairman and senior independent director John Gildersleeve will stand down from the board for personal reasons.
US pre-open: Stocks seen flat as investors eye Fed minutes
US futures pointed to a flat open on Wall Street, with investors likely to err on the side of caution ahead of the latest Federal Reserve minutes.
Asia report: Most markets down, NZX reaches new record
Most markets in Asia ended Wednesday lower, as investors closed their wallets and played the waiting game as concerns grew that the US Federal Reserve may hike interest rates soon, with its April meeting minutes due on Wednesday night.
Berenberg starts Just Eat at 'buy'
Berenberg initiated coverage of Just Eat at ‘buy’ with a 530p price target, pointing to a compelling valuation.
Booker boosted by Goldman upgrade
Food wholesale operator Booker got a boost after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target to 198p from 171p ahead of the company’s full-year results on Thursday.
Eurozone dips back into deflation, as estimated
Data from Eurostat on Wednesday confirmed the Eurozone fell back into deflation in April.