Market Pulse
First Derivatives agrees extended bank facilities
First Derivatives said on Wednesday that it has agreed extended bank facilities totalling £130m to provide the group with flexibility in support of its growth plans.
CRH rallies as activist investor Cevian Capital discloses stake
Shares in CRH rallied on Wednesday as it emerged that Stockholm-based activist investor Cevian Capital has built a stake in the building materials group.
Stride Gaming bullish despite tough conditions
Online games operator Stride Gaming told investors at its annual general meeting on Wednesday that it had traded broadly in line with expectations during the first half of the year, despite "continued challenging trading conditions".
Ibstock CFO to stand down after 30 years
Brick manufacturer Ibstock revealed that chief financial officer Kevin Sims will retire in 2019 after three decades with the group.
FDA grants AstraZeneca's Fasenra orphan drug designation
AstraZeneca said on Wednesday that the US Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation (ODD) to Fasenra for the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), a group of rare and potentially fatal disorders that can cause progressive damage to any organ in the body.
Europe open: Stocks in the red as German factory orders disappoint
European stocks fell in early trade on Wednesday, with sentiment undermined by the release of weak German manufacturing figures.
Redrow posts record results, announces special payout
Housebuilder Redrow posted a record set of interim results on Wednesday even as sales took a hit from Brexit-related uncertainty.
Severn Trent on track for full-year performance
Severn Trent said on Wednesday that it was still on track to deliver a full-year trading performance in line with its expectations and prior guidance.
London open: Stocks nudge lower but housebuilders gain on results
London stocks nudged lower in early trade on Wednesday following strong gains in the previous session, but well-received results from the likes of Barratt Developments helped to keep losses to a minimum.
Personal Group acquires Innecto in £3m cash deal
Employee services firm Personal Group has conditionally agreed to acquire British pay and reward consultancy Innecto for £3m cash.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Ladbrokes, Interserve, Snapchat, Apple
Bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral is telling shop staff to sign up as many gamblers as possible to online accounts if they want to avoid being among 5,000 employees it plans to make redundant, the Guardian has learned. According to letters circulated among employees – and seen by the Guardian – the bookmaker will close up to 1,000 of its 3,500 shops over the next 18 to 24 months, blaming imminent curbs on £100-per-spin fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower after Tuesday's big gains
London stocks were set to edge lower at the open on Wednesday following strong gains in the previous session when weak services data weighed on sterling and solid results propelled oil giant BP higher.
US close: Stocks close higher ahead of State of the Union address
US stocks closed slightly higher on Tuesday as investors eyed Donald Trump's State of the Union address later in the evening and sifted through more earnings news.