Market Report
London midday: Stocks hold onto small gains despite Manchester attack
London stocks were holding in the green by midday, although gains were muted after a suicide bomb attack at a concert in Manchester on Monday evening left 22 people dead and 59 injured.
UK deficit set to provide 'significant drag' on GDP growth
UK public sector borrowing in April was much higher than expected, according to initial forecast data, though borrowing for the last fiscal year was revised down.
Asia report: Most markets finish session lower
Markets in Asia finished mostly lower on Tuesday, with investors ignoring the solid performance on Wall Street overnight, as news of the deadly bombing in Manchester came through during the session.
Retail sales slow in May as inflation bites - CBI
Retail sales slowed in the year to May following strong growth in April, coming in broadly flat as rising inflation takes its toll, according to the Confederation of British Industry's latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey.
US pre-open: Stocks seen firmer ahead of Fedspeak, PMIs
US futures pointed to a positive open on Wall Street on Tuesday as investors looked to more Fedspeak and key readings on the manufacturing and services sectors.
Entertainment One profits fall as film and TV slates 'evolve'
Entertainment One reported strong profit growth for the year to March and reiterated its confidence in doubling the size of the business in the five years to 2020.
Revenue and earnings rise as Nostrum keeps lid on costs
Independent oil and gas company Nostrum Oil & Gas posted its financial results for the three months to 31 March on Tuesday, with revenue rising to $111. 9m from $73. 9m year-on-year, and net operating cash flows of $69. 8m, rising from $27. 0m.
Europe open: Stocks push higher on strong PMIs, IFO index
European stocks are pushing higher, with investors focused on a slate of positive economic data out of the single currency bloc.
London open: Stocks nudge higher despite tragic Manchester attack
London stocks nudged higher in early trade even as investors digested news of a suspected terror attack at a concert in Manchester on Monday evening that left 22 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Restaurant Group hit by UBS downgrade
Restaurant Group was under pressure on Tuesday as UBS downgraded the stock to 'sell' from 'neutral' and cut the price target to 275p from 310p following a strong run in the shares recently and pointing to the turnaround plans for Frankie & Benny's.
Shaftesbury shares spoils from London's booming West End
As London's West End continued to attract shoppers and tourists in droves, landlord Shaftesbury hiked its half-year dividend 10. 5% as its portfolio grew in value and profits surged.
German business confidence improves more than expected - Ifo
German business confidence improved more than expected in May, according to a widely-followed survey.
Topps Tiles interim profit drops amid 'challenging' market
Topps Tiles reported a drop in profit and sales for the first half amid a "challenging market".
Plenty of headroom for more investment at Assura
Healthcare-focussed real estate investment trust Assura announced its full year results for the year to 31 March on Tuesday, with the board reporting a year of “continued growth” in its portfolio, rents, profit and dividend.
Homeserve surges as it hikes dividend 20%, FY profit rises
FTSE 250 home repair and improvements business Homeserve surged on Tuesday as it posted a jump in full-year pre-tax profit and hiked its dividend for the year by 20%.
UDG Healthcare lifts earnings guidance after decent first half
International healthcare services provider UDG Healthcare announced its interim results for the six months to 31 March on Tuesday, with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increasing by 19%, or 29% on a constant currency basis, which the board said was aided by acquisitions and other timing benefits during the first half of the financial year.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: Bomb attack, Merkel on euro, energy lobbying
At least 22 people have been killed and 59 injured in what is being investigated as a suspected suicide bombing of a crowded pop concert in Manchester, the most deadly attack in Britain in a decade. - Guardian .
Weaker sterling helps push AVEVA revenue higher
Engineering data and IT system design provider AVEVA Group posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 March on Tuesday, with revenue up 7. 1% to £215. 8m, which the board said was assisted by currency translation.
NEX restructures Optimisation to 'better serve' clients
NEX Optimisation, the division of NEX Group which helps clients reduce complexity and optimise resources across the transaction lifecycle, announced on Tuesday that it has restructured to organise the business “in a way that clients want to consume services and address their own financial, regulatory and operational challenges”.
Fresnillo board confident as investors gather for AGM
Investors in Fresnillo were gathering in London for the company’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, with Alberto Baillères set to update them on the firm’s progress amid a period of volatile metals prices.