Market Pulse
UBM upbeat as large event growth offsets blips
UBM said it was on track to hit full year targets despite some weakness in smaller shows.
Genus announces collaboration with Caribou Biosciences
Genus announced a strategic collaboration with US-based Caribou Biosciences that will give the London-listed animal genetics group exclusive license to Caribou’s gene editing technology platform.
Playtech momentum continues into 2016, chairman says
As investors in gambling software developer Playtech gathered for its annual general meeting on Wednesday, chairman Alan Jackson spoke of the company’s momentum continuing into the current financial year.
Hungry airline passengers drive growth at SSP Group
Travel food and beverage operator SSP Group revealed impressive first-half growth on Wednesday, with operating profit up 28% at constant currency and 22. 6% at actual exchange rates to £30. 9m in the six months to 31 March.
Marshalls revenue growth slows as clients hold off on orders
Marshalls tumbled on Wednesday after the FTSE 250 landscape products group reported a slowdown in revenue growth in a trading update for the four months ended 30 April.
Returns up, profits down at HICL Infrastructure
Private finance initiative investor HICL Infrastructure described a “solid portfolio performance” in its full-year numbers on Wednesday, with net asset value per share improving 4% in the year to 31 March to 142. 2p.
Assura posts significant uptick in underlying numbers
Primary care property investor and developer Assura posted a significant uptick in underlying earnings on Wednesday, with underlying profit before tax improving 78% to £28. 3m in its preliminary results.
Marston's swings to profit in first half
FTSE 250 pub group Marston’s swung to a profit in the first half on surging revenue, as the company opened new pubs.
Galliford Try wins student housing projects worth £102m
Housebuilding and construction group Galliford Try announced a new contract for its building division on Wednesday, confirming it has been selected as the preferred builder for two new major projects in the student accommodation sector.
London open: Stocks fall ahead of UK jobs data, FOMC minutes
London stocks were in the red on Wednesday ahead of the release of UK jobs data and the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting minutes.
Interserve secures £25m Eastleigh leisure centre deal
Support services and construction group Interserve announced a new contract win on Wednesday, having secured a £25m deal to build one of the biggest leisure centres in the south of England.
Burberry a fashion victim as profits hit by luxury slump
Full year profits from Burberry fell 10%, at the bottom of analysts' range of estimates, and the fashion retailer warned that it expects 2017 full year adjusted profit before tax "to be towards the bottom of the range of analysts' expectations".
Income down as growth slows at Rathbone Brothers
Net operating income at Rathbone Brothers fell in the first quarter, it reported on Wednesday, by 0. 7% to £58. 9m.
Ultra Electronics picks up delayed drone surveillance contract
Ultra Electronics has won a $18. 4m electronic warfare equipment contract for drone aircraft, which had been delayed from the last financial year.
Europe open: Stocks nudge lower amid US rate hike concerns
European stocks nudged lower in early trade, taking their cue from downbeat US and Asian sessions as expectations grew that the Federal Reserve might hike rates as early as next month following hawkish comments by a number of Fed officials and upbeat US data.
SSE full-year profit drops, may sell stake in gas distribution networks
FTSE 100 energy supplier SSE posted a drop in profit for the financial year ended 31 March amid lower wholesale gas prices, as it announced the possibility it might sell up to a third of its 50% equity stake in the SGN gas distribution networks.
Antofagasta confirms focus on margin preservation
Chilean copper colossus Antofagasta reiterated its plans for a 'three-pillar’ strategy and confirmed that two major development projects have been slowed to preserve cash.
London Stock Exchange shareholders to vote on Deutsche merger in July
London Stock Exchange provided an update on its merger with Deutsche Börse, informing that shareholder documents will be published in June and shareholder meetings required in connection with the merger will take place in July.
ARM swallows Apical in $350m deal
Semiconductor and software design company ARM announced on Wednesday it has acquired the entire share capital of imaging and embedded computer vision intellectual property company Apical.
AstraZeneca's Lynparza fails in combination trial
AstraZeneca said on Wednesday that its trial of ovarian cancer drug Lynparza in combination with chemotherapy, compared with paclitaxel hemotherapy alone, did not meet the primary endpoint of overall survival in advanced gastric cancer patients.