Market Pulse
US close: Stocks smooth bumps as Beige Book bears benign backdrop
Recouping mid-session losses, US stocks ended the day largely flat as recovering oil prices balanced a rising dollar, while the Federal Reserve's 'Beige Book' indicated the economy was growing at a moderate pace without much inflationary pressure.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher after disappointing German data
European stocks edged higher at the close on Wednesday as investors digested some disappointing German data and looked ahead to Thursday’s rate announcement from the European Central Bank.
ULS Technology develops Legal & General Mortgage Club platform
Provider of online B2B platforms for the UK conveyancing and financial intermediary markets, ULS Technology, announces the launch of a new conveyancing service on Wednesday, developed exclusively for Lloyds Banking Group to launch with Legal & General Mortgage Club.
Apple ruling "cannot be allowed to stand": Enda Kenny
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the country's parliament that the European Commission's decision to rule that it had given Apple up to €13bn in illegal state aid was "profundly wrong" and "cannot be allowed to stand".
PureTech Health widens loss, reports development progress
Cross-disciplinary biotech company PureTech Health announced its half-yearly results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with consolidated cash reserves at period end of $297. 4m, down from $313. 7m at the start of the period.
Sanne Group posts impressive rise in first half earnings
Sanne Group posted its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue rising 31% to £27. 6m and underlying operating profit improving 30% to £10. 3m.
Wednesday share tips: Sports Direct, Ashmore
Share buy-backs may not add value, but they do serve a signalling function, the Financial Times´s Lex column said.
Tern's Device Authority partners with DigiCert
Cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) specialist company Tern announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary, Device Authority, has entered a strategic partnership with DigiCert, a global provider of trusted identity and authentication solutions, to provide enhanced device provisioning and credential management for the IoT.
FTSE 250 movers: Vectura gains but CMC Markets slumps
London’s FTSE 250 index was up 0. 3% to 18,051. 69 in afternoon trade.
Servelec reports raft of first-half slides
Healthcare, local government, and energy technology company Servelec Group announced its results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue dropping 5% from a year earlier to £28. 4m.
Theresa May will not give a 'running commentary' on Brexit negotiations with EU
Theresa May said she would not give a “running commentary” on Brexit negotiations and “reveal our hand prematurely” to the EU as she refused to say whether the country will stay in the single market.
CentralNic revenues rise after acquisition of InstraGroup
CentralNic grew revenues by 101% in the first half, boosted by the acquisition of Instragroup.
Windar Photonics announces orders from Estonian turbine maker
Windar Photonics announced new orders on Wednesday for Windar's four-beam LiDAR device, the WindVISION, from an international wind turbine original equipment manufacturer.
Trakm8 warns on first-half profits but still confident for full year
Telematics group Trakm8 warned its first-half profits would be lower than last year's but said it was confident about hitting full year targets line with previous years thanks to a strong weighting to the second half.
Director dealings: Fulcrum Utility chairman buys after shares fade from high
Fulcrum Utility Services chairman Phil Holder picked up shares in the multi-utility infrastructure group after its share price tailed off from all-time highs earlier in the summer.
US open: Stocks mixed as Fed speakers eyed
US stocks were mixed on Thursday as investors awaited further hints on interest rate hikes from Federal Reserve speakers.
FTSE 100 movers: Ashtead gains on results, Worldpay slumps on placing
London’s FTSE 100 index was up 0. 2% to 6,839. 81 in afternoon trade.
Results round-up
Investment management firm Hargreaves Lansdown reported a jump in full-year profit as assets under administration grew and the company announced that its chief executive Ian Gorham was stepping down.
Starcom sales and margins slip after price erosion in first half
First-half sales and profit margins at Starcom were down on the same period last year, with low cash levels likely to worry some investors, but the wireless tracking specialist cut operating losses and sounded optimistic notes about current and future trading.
Shanta Gold gets JORC upgrade at Tanzania mine after striking gold
Shares in metal explorer Shanta Gold soared 16% on Wednesday afternoon, as it reported a significant increase in resources and gold at its Tanzania mine.