Market Pulse
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher amid signs of US-China progress
US stocks looked set for an upbeat open on Wednesday amid signs of improving trade relations between the US and China.
Filtronic set to make a loss for the year, shares crash
Shares in Filtronic tanked on Wednesday as the AIM-listed designer and manufacturer of antennas said it expects to make a loss for the current year as one of its customers will be purchasing fewer antennas than originally planned.
CMA rejects Sainsbury's and Asda's appeal for more time
UK competition authorities have told Sainsbury's and Asda they must stick the the current timetable, after the pair pleaded for more time to argue the case for their proposed £12bn merger.
London midday: Stocks rise amid trade war hopes, May faces leadership challenge
Calm prevailed in London's financial markets on Wednesday amid signs of improving Sino-US relations, with the FTSE 100 firmly in the green by midday and the pound languishing at recent lows but up on the day as investors mulled news of Theresa May's leadership challenge.
Asia report: Markets higher on renewed hopes of trade war de-escalation
Markets in Asia finished in the green on Wednesday, on renewed hopes of an improvement in the political relationship between the US and China.
Fulham Shore bucks the trend as profits rise; considers further expansion
Franco Manca and The Real Greek owner Fulham Shore posted a jump in interim pre-tax profit on Wednesday and said it is considering extending its opening programme beyond the current financial year.
Huntsworth to finish year in line with market expectations
International healthcare and communications group Huntsworth updated the market on its trading for the 11 months to 30 November on Wednesday, reporting that it continued to trade well and expected to reach at least market consensus headline profit estimates for the year ending 31 December.
Strix Group enforces patents in China, Germany
Kettle safety control manufacturer Strix Group updated the market on its intellectual property protection initiatives on Wednesday, reporting that it had successfully enforced its patents, which were being breached by manufacturers in China.
Superdry blames the weather again as it warns on profits
A day after its shares tumbled on the back of a broker downgrade, Superdry warned on profit again, pinning the blame on the weather as it posted a slump in underlying interim profit.
Go-Ahead awarded another German rail franchise
Go-Ahead Group has been awarded the first lot of the ‘Augsburger Netze’ rail routes, it announced on Wednesday, by the Bavarian rail authority and the Baden-Wurttemberg public transport authority.
Avacta Group picks up Jose Saro as chief medical officer
Biotherapeutic development company Avacta Group announced on Wednesday that Dr Jose Saro has been appointed as its chief medical officer, to lead its therapeutic development strategy and drive the in-house programmes into the clinic.
Mkango gets two-year licence renewal on its flagship project
Malawi-focussed rare earths exploration and development company Mkango Resources announced on Wednesday that the Government of Malawi has granted a further two-year renewal to its flagship project.
Clear Leisure reaches 'full and final' £1.15m settlement
Clear Leisure announced on Wednesday that, following the case management conference at the High Court on 9 November, a full and final settlement has been reached with the defendants in the sum of £1. 15m before legal and insurance expenses of nearly £0. 3m payable in cash to the company.
Petrofac rakes in $146m as sale to Ithaca Energy completes
Petrofac announced on Wednesday that it has completed the sale of Petrofac GSA Holdings to Ithaca Energy UK.
BTG and Boston Scientific extend acquisition deal regulatory dates
BTG announced on Wednesday that itself, its suitor Boston Scientific, and the acquisition vehicle Bravo Bidco, have entered into an amendment to the co-operation agreement to extend the date by which certain regulatory filings must be made in Spain, Germany and other relevant jurisdictions.
Non-combustible products help keep British American Tobacco on track
British American Tobacco updated the market on its trading ahead of its closed period on Wednesday, reporting that it continued to perform “well”, with its full-year guidance remaining unchanged.
London open: Stocks inch higher on trade hopes, May faces leadership challenge
London stocks edged higher in early trade on Wednesday, taking their cue from an upbeat Asian session as investors grew increasingly optimistic about Sino-US trade relations, even as Theresa May faced a leadership challenge.
Marshalls to buy brick manufacturer Edenhall, to exceed FY expectations
Marshalls announced the acquisition on Wednesday of concrete brick manufacturer Edenhall for up to £17. 2m as it said it expects to exceed full-year expectations thanks to better second-half revenue growth.
London pre-open: Stocks to gain amid optimism about Sino-US relations
London stocks were set for a firmer open on Wednesday, taking their cue from an upbeat Asian session as investors grew increasingly optimistic about Sino-US trade relations.