Market Report
Bonds: US debt auctions see reasonable demand, according to analysts
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 89% (+1bp) UK: 1. 59% (-1bp) Germany: 0. 74% (+0bp) France: 1. 0% (+1bp) Spain: 1. 53% (+2bp) Italy: 2. 07% (+3bp) Portugal: 2. 05% (+3bp) Greece: 4. 40% (+13bp) Japan: 0. 07% (+1bp).
Bilby sees 'considerable progress' across London and the South-East
Building services firm Bilby announced on Wednesday that it had made "considerable progress" during its first trading half, as companies within the group continued to take market share in their target markets of London and the UK's South-East.
EC fines vehicle shipping and supplies firms for cartel behaviour
The European Commission handed out a total of €546m in fines to car shipping and parts suppliers for anti-competitive behaviour in three separate decisions, with all companies acknowledging their involvement in the cartels and agreeing to settle the cases.
Credit Suisse cuts InterContinental price target but says price drop is an opportunity
Credit Suisse cut its price target on InterContinental Hotels Group to 5,500p from 5,800p, keeping the rating at 'outperform', following the company’s full-year results.
Asia report: Markets higher ahead of Fed minutes
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Wednesday as volumes started to return after the Lunar New Year holiday for many in the region, although mainland China bourses remained closed.
London midday: Stocks slip a little further even as pound drops on jobs data
London stocks fell a little further into the red by midday on Wednesday as the pound dropped after figures revealed that UK unemployment unexpectedly rose at the end of last year, while wage data was mixed.
Pacific nations push ahead with TPP, final version of trade deal released
A deal to cut trade barriers in some of Asia-Pacific’s most advanced economies took a big step forward on Wednesday with the release of its final version.
Patagonia Gold ups full-year guidance to reflect improved monthly production
South America-focused mining company Patagonia Gold told investors on Wednesday that total output for its most recent trading year hit 26,005 ounces of gold equivalent, helped by a continued monthly production ramp-up at its Cap Oeste project.
Stirring wage growth and rising unemployment reduce odds of rate hike
UK unemployment increased unexpectedly at the end of last year but wage data was mixed, which may stoke some further speculation about the Bank of England's likely path for interest rate hikes.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of FOMC minutes
US futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors eyed the release of the minutes from the latest FOMC meeting.
SDX Energy well yields uncommercial gas reservoir
SDX Energy announced on Wednesday that its Moroccan KSS-2 well drilling project has been unsuccessful, after its gas reserves were not deemed to be commercial.
Inspiration Healthcare's year of 'substantial investment' boosts revenues
Medical technology supplier Inspiration Healthcare said it had continued to perform strongly and was expecting to report revenues and pre-tax profits in line with market expectations for the year ended 31 January.
Barclays downgrades Dunelm after disappointing H1 numbers
Barclays downgraded its stance home furnishings retailer Dunelm to 'equalweight' from 'overweight' on Wednesday and slashed the price target to 630p from 810p following "disappointing" first-half results and commentary on Worldstores.
Capital & Counties posts negative return as Earl's Court valuation drops
Capital & Counties Property reported a negative total return for 2017 as the value of the London landlord’s Earls Court properties fell sharply.
Range Resources increases production from Trinidad asset
Exploration and production company Range Resources increased average net oil production in January by 23% over the previous three months , topping out the month at 777 barrels of oil per day.
Polymetal agrees first offtake from Kyzyl development
Polymetal International has signed its first offtake contract for concentrate from its Kyzyl development project in East Kazakhstan, which is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2018.
Losses widen as Rainbow Rare Earths operations hum
High grade rare earth concentrate producer Rainbow Rare Earths announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December on Wednesday, confirming that it had commenced production during the period, with the first shipment of rare earth concentrate completed on schedule in the fourth quarter.
STM begins integration work after buying Harbour Pensions
Cross-border financial services provider STM Group announced on Wednesday that, following its announcement on 16 February, STM Malta has completed on the acquisition of Harbour Pensions.
No room for a dividend at Rezidor Hotel Group
Rezidor Hotel Group reported a “solid” 2017 and “excellent progress” on its five-year plan in its year-end results on Wednesday, reporting that on a like-for-like basis, revenue increased 4. 0%.
Hotel Chocolat interim profit and revenue up 15%, recent trading in line
Hotel Chocolat reported a jump in interim profit and revenue on Wednesday thanks to strong sales across retail, digital and corporate channels and following a "successful" Christmas period.