Market Pulse
SoftBank unveils share buyback as losses narrow
Technology investing giant SoftBank Group reported a significant reduction in losses for its fiscal first quarter on Wednesday, alongside a bold plan to repurchase up to $3. 4bn worth of its shares.
Asia report: Most markets rise as global rebound continues
Asia-Pacific markets extended their rally on Wednesday, buoyed by Wall Street's recovery after a three-day losing streak.
Vodafone launches €500m share buyback
Vodafone has announced a share buyback programme of up €500m (£430m) to start on Wednesday and end no later than 29 November.
Siemens Energy posts Q3 profit, hikes FY free cash flow guidance
German gas and power business Siemens Energy upped its free cash flow guidance for the second time in three months on Wednesday amid stronger demand for its power grid technology and gas turbines.
Puma narrows full-year profit guidance, shares tank
Puma tanked on Wednesday as the sportswear maker narrowed its full-year core profit forecast, noting that macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges were weighing on consumer sentiment.
Commerzbank plans big share buyback despite profit dip
Commerzbank, Germany's second-largest listed bank, announced a 4. 8% decline in second-quarter net profit on Wednesday, reporting earnings of €538m compared to €565m in the same period last year.
Maersk upgrades guidance after strong second quarter
Maersk reported a significant improvement in its second-quarter financial performance on Wednesday, driven by strong volume growth across all of its business segments.
Ofwat to appoint independent monitor to Thames Water
Ofwat said on Wednesday that it was looking to appoint a monitor to report on Thames Water’s progress in turning the business around after the water company lost two investment grade credit ratings.
4Imprint H1 profits grow despite 'challenging market conditions'
Promotional products marketing group 4imprint said on Wednesday that both revenue and profits had grown in the six months ended 29 June as the group took share in "challenging market conditions".
Hiscox H1 profits rise despite 'more active loss environment'
Lloyd’s of London insurer Hiscox posted a rise in first-half pre-tax profit on Wednesday despite a "more active loss environment".
Tritax Big Box H1 profits grow, hikes interim dividend
Real estate investment trust Tritax Big Box said on Wednesday that profits had grown in the six months ended 30 June, leading to a slight year-on-year hike in the group's interim dividend.
London open: Stocks in the black; house prices in focus
London stocks rose in early trade on Wednesday as comments from Bank of Japan governor Shinichi Uchida calmed investors, and following the release of better-than-expected UK house price data.
CLS H1 losses narrow, makes first letting at Artesian
Commercial property investment firm CLS Holdings reported mixed H1 numbers on Wednesday as it also revealed it had struck a deal for its first letting at its Artesian asset in East London.
TP ICAP reports first-half growth, launches third share buyback
TP ICAP reported steady growth across key metrics in its first-half results on Wednesday, as it launched its third share buyback programme valued at £30m.
WPP lowers guidance after steady first-half performance
WPP, the world's largest advertising company, reported a steady first-half performance on Wednesday, although macroeconomic pressures and challenges in key markets such as China saw it revise its full-year outlook.
Quilter delivers record H1 adjusted profits
Wealth management firm Quilter posted record interim adjusted profits on Wednesday as net inflows bounced back amid a recovery in global equity markets throughout the half.
UK house prices rise in July after three flat months - Halifax
UK house prices rose in July after three flat months, according to figures released on Wednesday by Halifax.
London pre-open: Stocks to gain on positive US, Asian cues
London stocks were set to rise again on Wednesday following positive US and Asian sessions.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Airbnb, Virgin Atlantic, Harland & Wolff
The Royal Mint has unveiled a “pioneering” factory that will recover gold from electronic waste, creating a more sustainable source of the precious metal for the coin manufacturer’s luxury jewellery line. The factory in south Wales, which has been under construction since March 2022, is designed to extract gold from up to 4,000 tonnes a year of circuit boards sourced in the UK from electronics including phones, laptops and TVs. – Guardian.