Market Report
VTB Capital eyes return to dividends at Evraz, reiterates 'Buy'
Analysts at VTB Capital reiterated a 'Buy' recommendation on shares of Evraz following the sale of its Nakhodka Trade Sea Port subsidiary which, they said, may give the steel-maker the financial power to pay dividends.
Lancashire Holdings profit up but premiums down
FTSE 250 insurer Lancashire Holdings reported an increase in first-quarter profit but a drop in premiums on Thursday amid "difficult" market conditions.
French presidential election TV debate - Analysts react
"With Macron already holding a considerable lead in the polls, the TV debate was Le Pen’s best opportunity to close the gap ahead of voting on Sunday. While Le Pen was widely seen as being better suited to the event, it is Macron that is believed to have fared better in the scathing encounter, helping to protect his substantial lead in the process and ease concerns about a late surge by the National Front leader. While we have seen Le Pen risk abate in recent weeks as her lead in the polls slipped and Macron took the first round, the spread between French and German 10-year yields remains at the top end of the range it traded at prior to the election premium being priced in.
UK services sector growth hits four-month high in April
Growth in the UK services sector hit a four-month high in April, according to data released on Thursday.
FOMC decision 4 May - Analysts react
"In terms of the Fed yesterday, as expected there were no real surprises to come from the decision to keep rates unchanged or out of the post meeting FOMC statement but there was just about enough for the market to ramp up the odds for another tightening next month. Indeed Bloomberg’s calculator (which overstates a little) now has the probability of a hike at 90% which compares to 67% this time yesterday. [. ] So all-in-all more of the same. Tomorrow’s Fedspeak could well be more interesting particularly for any snippets around the balance sheet.
Ladbrokes Coral in line despite 'mixed' sports results
Bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral Group updated the market on its trading for the period from 1 January to 23 April on Thursday, claiming that it remained in line with expectations despite “mixed” sporting results.
Eurozone business activity at six-year high in April
Eurozone business activity expanded at a faster rate than initially estimated in April, according to data released on Thursday.
Next cuts profit guidance as sales fall in first quarter
Next trimmed its full year sales and profits guidance after sales fell in the first quarter of its financial year.
Europe open: Markets cheer Macron performance in French election debate
European equities are trading on the frontfoot at the start of the day following a convincing performance from centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuele Macron in a key televised debate overnight.
Shell keeps first quarter dividend steady
Royal Dutch Shell's net income rose across almost all its main units at the start of the year thanks to the rebound in oil prices, with the company touting how its cash dividend was fully covered for a third consecutive quarter.
HSBC's investment bank starts strongly but profits dented by FX
HSBC's profits in the first three months of the year were severely dented by currency movements but at the underlying level they improved strongly against the first and fourth quarter of last year.
James Fisher trading in line; all three divisions doing well
Marine services group James Fisher said trading from 1 January to date has been in line with management expectations, with all three divisions continuing to trade well.
London open: Stocks in the black as Shell, HSBC gain after results
London stocks pushed higher in early trade, helped along by well-received results from the likes of Shell and HSBC, as investors looked to a slew of data releases.
Inmarsat maintains 'solid' momentum in first quarter
Inmarsat posted its results for the first quarter on Thursday, claiming “solid performance” as group revenue grew 11. 3% to $332. 2m, or by 7. 5% to $301. 7m excluding Ligado.
Rolls-Royce making solid progress, chief executive tells AGM
Investors in Rolls-Royce Holdings were gathering in Derby on Thursday morning for the company’s annual general meeting, where chief executive Warren East was set to confirm that overall trading in the first few months of the year had been in line with expectations, and that the board’s outlook for the year as a whole was unchanged.
Rio Tinto aiming for $5bn of free cash flow in productivity improvements
Rio Tinto is aiming to deliver $5bn of free cash flow via productivity improvements over five years.
Sales rise at Morrisons as it broadens offer further
Morrisons was the latest of the big four supermarkets to divulge its position on Thursday, reporting that in the 13 weeks to 30 April, group like-for-like sales - excluding fuel - were up 3. 4%, comprising contributions from retail of 3. 0% and wholesale of 0. 4%.
Esure gross written premiums rise, sees FY at top end of guidance
Esure said on Thursday that it expects to deliver results at the top end of its guidance for 2017 as it reported a rise in first-quarter gross written premiums.
G4S revenue up 9% in first quarter
Integrated security company G4S reported a 9% jump in revenue for the first quarter and said it saw a strong start to the year.
Randgold Resources posts 33% rise in Q1 profit
Randgold Resources said on Thursday that it has made a strong start to 2017 and is on course to achieve its guidance for the year.