Market Report
FCA chief warns consumer lenders to treat customers fairly
The head of the Financial Conduct Authority has warned consumer lenders to treat customers fairly as the watchdog seeks to clamp down on high-cost credit for vulnerable borrowers.
Wednesday preview: Euro area inflation, Weir Group in the spotlight
The focus on Wednesday will shift back towards this side of the Pond, with the latest euro area consumer price data for the month of February possibly vindicating European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi's caution when it comes to potentially premature shifts in the Governing Council's policy bias.
Bonds: Newly minted Fed chief catches some traders on the hop
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 91% (+5bp) UK: 1. 56% (+5bp) Germany: 0. 68% (+3bp) France: 0. 95% (+2bp) Spain: 1. 56% (+1bp) Italy: 2. 01% (-1bp) Portugal: 2. 02% (+2bp) Greece: 4. 38% (-3bp) Japan: 0. 047% (0bp).
Credit Suisse reiterates 'outperform' rating on William Hill
Analysts at Credit Suisse took a look at William Hill on Tuesday, reiterating both their 'outperform' rating and target price of 380p on the bookmaker's shares.
Europe close: Stocks flat as traders digest new Fed chief's views
Stocks finished near the unchanged mark on Tuesday, even as new US Fed chair Jerome Powell told lawmakers that in his view the country's economy had strengthened, which served to dampen the mood on the other side of the Atlantic.
Results round-up
Car dealer Inchcape said full year pre-tax profit rose by 33% to £370m on a constant currency basis due to a strong distribution performance in Asia and emerging markets.
Market buzz: US consumer confidence at 2000 high, 'keep calm' on Italian election
1700: Ten-year US Treasury note yields have popped higher. Significantly, in response to a question from one of the Congressmen, Fed chair Powell stated that: "My personal outlook for the economy has strengthened since December. " 1640: Don't worry about the Italian election, says Citi, offering its "humble suggestion. to stop reading stuff (apart from this quick note of course) and quietly wait for March 5th". Analysts said they think that the combination of the technicalities of the Rosatellum along with the large number of undecided voters make historically already unreliable polls even less reliable.
London close: Stocks hit as Fed's Powell sends bond yields higher
An early advance for London stocks faltered in the final hour of trading , despite strong earnings from the likes of Persimmon and a counter bid for Sky from Comcast, as the first congressional testimony from new Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sent government bond yields higher on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sector movers: Media rumbles as Sky bid skirmish expected
The media sector was the highest riser on Tuesday, led by a 20% rise for Sky's shares as US cable network Comcast tabled a rival bid to that agreed with 21st Century Fox.
US open: Wall Street shares down after Fed chair delivers congressional testimony
Wall Street indexes kept jumping between minor gains and small losses on Tuesday after nerves kicked in as new Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered his first congressional testimony.
German February CPI misses forecasts
The cost of living in Germany rose less quickly than expected in February as gains in energy and food prices slowed materially.
Peer-to-peer funding network the next step for 1pm
Specialist, non-bank provider of SME finance facilities 1pm announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with AS Mintos Marketplace to be a loan originator on its online marketplace for loans.
John Lewis of Hungerford board treading carefully amid uncertain conditions
Investors in manufacturer, designer and retailer of fitted kitchens, kitchen furniture and bedroom furniture John Lewis of Hungerford - not related to the national retail partnership of the same name - were told that the company was still proceeding cautiously amid uncertain trading conditions at its annual general meeting in London on Tuesday.
Kibo Mining to raise £750k in placing
AIM-listed Kibo Mining said on Tuesday that it has received commitments to raise £750,000 before expenses through a placing of 17. 6m shares at 4. 25p each.
TomCo Energy gets permit extension at Holliday Block
TomCo Energy announced on Tuesday that the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining has approved its exploration permit extension request.
Court win for Clear Leisure in ongoing Mediapolis saga
Clear Leisure updated the market on the ongoing legal wranglings surrounding its Mediapolis investment on Tuesday, confirming that the proposal of the receiver to Mediapolis as made to the Ivrea Court has now been approved by the court in the amount of €2,678,357.
Arc Minerals begins extensive soil sampling at Akyanga
Exploration and development company Arc Minerals announced the start of a comprehensive soil sampling programme on Tuesday, which it said was designed to test the potential mineralised zones between the 1. 57Moz Au Akyanga Deposit and the Akyanga East Prospect.
Amur Minerals ponders charge into electronic vehicle market
Amur Minerals has upgraded its mineral resource estimate (MRE) programme as it evaluates the possibility of entering the electronic vehicle (EV) market, the company said on Tuesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Sky rockets on Comcast bid; Fresnillo loses its shine
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 2% to 7,303. 07 in afternoon trade on Tuesday, with Sky the standout gainer on the back of a bid from Comcast.
Dalata makes good progress as development plans progress
Ireland’s largest hotel operator Dalata Hotel Group announced its results for the year ended 31 December on Tuesday, reporting revenue growth of 19. 9% to €348. 5m.