Market Pulse
Asia report: Hong Kong surges, other markets sink on mixed day
Markets in the Asia-Pacific region presented a mixed performance on Wednesday, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surging while other key indices faced declines.
STV agrees reduced pension deficit, lower contributions
STV Group announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the trustees of its defined benefit pension schemes following the completion of its 31 December 2023 triennial funding valuations.
LungLife AI test validation accepted for journal publication
LungLife AI announced on Wednesday that the analytical validation of its blood-based LungLB test had been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
Celadon Pharmaceuticals inks five-year sales contract
Cannabis-based medicines group Celadon Pharmaceuticals has inked a five-year sales contract with a newly established healthcare company for the supply of its medicinal cannabis product from its UK facility.
Smiths News FY24 adjusted operating profits seen in line with market expectations
Newspaper and magazine distributor Smiths News said on Wednesday that full-year adjusted operating profits were expected to be at least £38. 2m, in line with current market expectations.
Wynnstay FY24 results seen 'materially lower' than expectations
Agricultural supplies group Wynnstay warned on Wednesday that its FY24 results would be "materially lower" than both current market expectations and FY23 as a result of "more challenging conditions" during "seasonally important" months in H2.
London open: FTSE gains as oil prices rise on Middle East tensions
London stocks gained in early trade on Wednesday, with oil prices on the rise as tensions in the Middle East escalated further.
Wizz Air passenger numbers rise but load factors dip
Wizz Air reported a 3. 9% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers for September on Wednesday, carrying 5. 76 million passengers during the month.
Ryanair passenger numbers jump 10% in September
Budget airline Ryanair reported a 10% jump in September passenger numbers on Wednesday.
Saga in talks with Ageas over potential insurance business partnership
Saga confirmed on Wednesday that it is in talks with Belgian insurer Ageas about a potential partnership arrangement for its insurance business.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up as oil prices rise on Middle East tensions
London stocks were set to open up on Wednesday, with oil prices on the rise as tensions in the Middle East escalated further.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: CityFibre, Covid loans, FCA
Ministers are being asked to draw up billions of pounds in cuts to infrastructure projects over the next 18 months despite Rachel Reeves pledging to invest more to grow the economy, the Guardian has learned. Members of the cabinet have been asked to model cuts to their investment plans of up to 10% of their annual capital spending as part of this month’s spending review, government sources said. – Guardian.