Market Pulse
London midday: Stocks turn lower as focus shifts back to Brexit deal
London stocks had slipped into the red by midday on Thursday, in line with their European peers, as initial relief over Theresa May's confidence vote victory gave way to concerns about how she's going to get her Brexit deal through parliament.
VR Education celebrates full launch of 'ENGAGE' platform
Education-focussed virtual reality (VR) technology company VR Education announced the full commercial release of ‘ENGAGE’, its online virtual learning and corporate training platform, on Thursday.
Korean growth boosts Titon Holdings results
Ventilation systems and window and door hardware manufacturer Titon Holdings issued its preliminary results for the year ended 30 September on Thursday, reporting a 7% improvement in group net revenue to a record £29. 9m, or an increase of 8% on a constant currency basis.
FDA gives target date for Shield's Feraccru application
Commercial stage pharmaceutical company Shield Therapeutics announced on Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the target date for completion of the New Drug Application (NDA) review of ‘Feraccru’, under the terms of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, would be 27 July 2019.
Speedy Hire gobbles up training provider Geason
Tools, equipment and plant hire services company Speedy Hire has acquired the entire issued share capital of training provider Geason Holdings, it announced on Thursday, from Ian and Robert Kilpatrick and connected family trust companies.
CMA pushes back timetable for Sainsbury-Asda probe
The UK competition regulator has given everyone a little more elbow room in its investigation of Sainsbury's proposed merger with Asda.
WANdisco secures $3m contract with US health insurer
Software company WANdisco has secured its largest ever cloud contract with a "major" US health insurer, worth around $3m.
RPC Group non-core asset divestment now two-thirds complete
Plastic products design and engineering company RPC Group updated the market on the divestment of its non-core businesses on Thursday, reporting that it has completed the sale of its non-core spirits closures business at Bridge of Allan, Scotland.
Severn Trent welcomes proposal to increase wastewater ODI caps
Severn Trent welcomed a proposal from the water industry regulator Ofwat on Thursday, which would see the cap on waste water customer outcome delivery incentives (ODIs) lifted for the remainder of the current asset management period, AMP6.
Lower tax burden sees Serco lift earnings expectations again
International service company Serco Group updated the market on its financial performance for 2018 and its outlook for 2019 on Thursday, ahead of its closed period from 1 January to 21 February.
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure makes further progress in first half
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund issued its interim results for the period from 1 April to 30 September on Thursday, reporting an annualised portfolio yield-to-maturity of 8. 4% as at period end.
Purplebricks losses widen in first half
Hybrid estate agent Purplebricks downgraded its revenue guidance for the year on Thursday amid "challenging" market conditions, as it posted a widening of first-half losses but a rise in revenue.
IntegraFin on target as 'somewhat insulated' from market turmoil
Fund platform operator IntegraFin reported a 10% increase in profits in its first full-year results as a listed company, as positive gross inflows contributed to good growth in funds under direction.
Cost-saving initiatives help Koovs to narrow losses
AIM-listed online fashion retailer Koovs said on Thursday that it had narrowed its interim losses thanks to cash preservation and cost-saving initiatives.
Tui full-year earnings rise 11%, expects more of the same for 2019
Holiday group Tui posted a 10. 9% increase in full-year underlying earnings on Thursday and said it expects more of the same for 2019.
Sports Direct interim profit drops as HoF weighs
Sports Direct posted a drop in underlying interim profit on Thursday, weighed by losses at House of Fraser, which it bought back in August.
London open: Stocks edge higher as May sets off for Brussels
London stocks edged higher in early trade as Theresa May headed to Brussels for an EU summit after surviving a no-confidence vote on her leadership.
John Laing Group trading in line as it reduces exposure to UK market
Infrastructure investment and management company John Laing Group issued a pre-close update for the year ending 31 December on Thursday, reporting total investment commitments to date of £267m, which was slightly ahead of its guidance for 2018 of approximately £250m.
UK house prices at six-year low amid Brexit uncertainty - RICS
The UK property market fell to its lowest level in more than six years last month as Brexit uncertainty meant that buyers and sellers opted to sit tight, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Ultra Electronics trading in line as capital requirements rise
International defence, security, transport and energy group Ultra Electronics updated the market on its trading on Thursday, ahead of its year0end on 31 December, reporting that its full-year performance remained in line with the expectations set at its interim results on 6 August.