Market Pulse
Marks & Spencer appoints Alison Dolan as CFO
Marks and Spencer said on Wednesday that it has appointed Alison Dolan as its new chief financial officer.
London close: Stocks end down on rate cut worries; IDS bucks trend
London stocks ended in the red on Wednesday as investors pushed back US rate cut expectations, but IDS bucked the trend after the Royal Mail owner accepted a takeover offer.
FTSE 100 movers: Fresnillo shines; Ocado under the cosh
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 7% at 8,199. 12 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Wood Group 'evaluating' final takeover approach from Sidara at 230p a share
Wood Group said on Wednesday that it was evaluating a fourth and final "unsolicited, preliminary and conditional" takeover proposal from Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm Sidara at 230p a share.
ConocoPhillips to buy Marathon Oil in $22bn deal
ConocoPhillips confirmed on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy Marathon Oil in an all-share deal worth $22bn.
Merck to buy EyeBio for up to $3bn
US pharma giant Merck said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy ophthalmology-focused biotechnology firm EyeBio for up to $3bn.
London midday: Stocks stay down but IDS gains on takeover
London stocks were still down by midday on Wednesday, but IDS bucked the trend after the Royal Mail owner accepted a takeover offer.
Funding Circle to cut 120 jobs, CFO to step down
Funding Circle said on Wednesday that it was planning to axe around 120 jobs as part of its cost-cutting and streamlining efforts, as it announced the departure of chief financial officer Oliver White.
Bloomsbury Publishing buys US publisher for £65m
Bloomsbury Publishing said on Wednesday that it has bought The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group's academic publishing business for $83m (£65m).
IWG slumps as CEO Dixon sells 35m shares
IWG slumped on Wednesday after chief executive Mark Dixon sold 35m shares in the flexible workspace provider.
London open: Stocks fall but IDS jumps on takeover deal
London stocks fell in early trade on Wednesday, taking their cue from a downbeat session in Asia, but IDS bucked the trend after the Royal Mail owner accepted a takeover offer.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower on weak Asian cues
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Wednesday following a downbeat session in Asia and mixed performance on Wall Street.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Ryan Salame, Ocado, Shell
The next government should force all tradespeople who install home heat pumps, solar panels and insulation to sign up to a mandatory accreditation scheme to counter mistrust in the industry, a leading consumer group is demanding. A report from Which? found that households face “significant anxiety” in choosing tradespeople to fit low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, and insulation after “press stories about poor work and rogue traders”. – Guardian.