Market Pulse
Europe midday: Stocks bounce back amid news of EU and Italy budget deal
Stocks on the Continent are moving higher, led by an advance in Italian issues after news broke that the European Commission will not start an excessive deficit procedure against the government in Rome.
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher ahead of Fed announcement
US stocks looked set for a positive open on Wednesday as investors eyed the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Angus Energy begins flow testing at Brockham asset
Oil and gas outfit Angus Energy has kicked off flow testing of well BR-X4Z at its Brockham oil field on the UK's Weald Basin.
Asia report: Markets mixed as investors wait for Fed decision
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, as investors closed their wallets and held their breath ahead of a rate decision from the US Federal Reserve later in the global day.
London midday: Stocks extend gains as Glaxo rallies; inflation data digested
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Wednesday, bouncing back from the previous session's losses with GlaxoSmithKline in the lead on news of a tie-up with Pfizer, as investors digested inflation data and looked ahead to the Fed's policy announcement.
UBS starts Superdry at 'neutral', says stock looks fair value
UBS started coverage of Superdry with a 'neutral' rating on Wednesday and 500p price target, saying the stock looks fairly valued.
Flybe climbs as Virgin confirms talks ongoing
Virgin Atlantic said on Wednesday that it still in talks with Flybe about potentially making a takeover offer for the regional carrier.
National Park Authority gives Scotgold the go-ahead at Cononish
Scotgold Resources has received confirmation from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Planning Authority (NPA) that all of the 19 pre-start conditions and other obligations, relating its planning application ‘2017/0254/MIN’, had now been discharged, it announced on Wednesday.
Amryt Pharma flags slight delay to EASE trial data
Orphan drug company Amryt Pharma updated the market on the global AP101 EASE Phase III clinical trial being conducted in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) on Wednesday, reporting that the independent data monitoring committee was scheduled to meet on 21 December to review the EASE unblinded interim efficacy analysis results.
Versarien inks MOU with mystery Chinese aerospace firm
Advanced materials engineer Versarien has inked a memorandum of understanding with an unnamed state-owned Chinese aerospace firm.
Osirium Technologies wins big new admin client
Cloud-based cybersecurity software supplier Osirium Technologies announced a contract win with an unnamed international provider of fiduciary and administration services on Wednesday.
Gulf Marine crashes over banking covenant warning
Oil industry support business Gulf Marine Services expects full-year trading to be "broadly in line" with its previous guidance despite some mobilisation delays but warned of its ability to repay its debts.
JZ Capital Partners performs steadily in most recent quarter
Micro-cap and US real estate-focussed investor JZ Capital Partners issued its interim management statement for the period from 1 September to 30 November on Wednesday, reporting a fall in its net asset value to $811. 5m, from $837. 6m at the end of February.
Faron Pharmaceuticals pins some hope to YODA trial
Clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Faron Pharmaceuticals issued interim results from its pharmacokinetic/dynamic ‘YODA’ study on Wednesday, examining various formulations of recombinant human interferon-beta (IFN-beta).
Cambridge Cognition shares tumble as revenues fall short of expectations
Neuroscience technology developer Cambridge Cognition has seen revenues fall short of expectations and losses widen as a result of a switch in accounting practices.
Brady taps Carmen Carey as new CEO
Risk management solutions outfit Brady has tapped Carmen Carey to take over as its new chief executive officer and pick up some of the duties currently handled by executive chairman Ian Jenks.
GSK concocts Pfizer consumer health merger and spin-off
Pharma giants GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer have struck a deal to combine their consumer health businesses into a joint venture generating £10bn of annual sales, which will later be spun off as a separate listed company.
Peel Hunt upgrades Serco to 'hold' from 'reduce'
Peel Hunt upgraded Serco to ‘hold’ from ‘reduce’ on Wednesday as the current share price is close to its new target price of 100p, up from 87p.
RBC Capital downgrades Asos after profit warning
RBC Capital Markets downgraded Asos to ‘outperform’ from ‘top pick’ on Wednesday, slashing the target price to 3,200p from 7,700p "while uncertainty shadows the stock" following the online retailer’s shock profit warning earlier in the week.
Inland Homes acquires residential development site in Dagenham
Housebuilder Inland Homes has exchanged contracts on a major residential development site in East London.