Market Report
London midday: Stocks drop ahead of confidence vote; housebuilders buck up
London stocks had fallen into the red by midday on Wednesday as Theresa May faced a vote of no confidence, but losses weren't too pronounced, capped by a strong performance from the housebuilding sector and hopes of a Brexit delay.
Asia report: Markets mixed amid fresh Brexit concerns
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, as investors shrugged off a solid overnight session on Wall Street and instead focussed on renewed concerns around the UK’s exit from the European Union.
City Pub Group posts revenue rise after solid festive period
Pub owner City Pub Group reported a rise in full-year revenue on Wednesday as it enjoyed a solid performance over the festive period and benefited from new pub openings.
Norcros to acquire South Africa's House of Plumbing
Bathroom and kitchen products supplier Norcros announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary Norcros South Africa has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of South Africa-based RAP Plumbing Supplies, trading as House of Plumbing.
Headlam confident in strength amid Brexit headwinds
Floorcoverings distributor Headlam Group updated the market on the 12 months ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that despite the UK market weakness that was evident throughout 2018, it expected to report final results for the year marginally ahead of 2017, and in-line with market expectations.
Creo confirms first successful US treatment using 'Speedboat'
Medical device company Creo Medical Group announced the successful first treatment of patients in the US using its ‘Speedboat’ device, powered by its ‘CROMA’ electrosurgery advanced energy platform, on Wednesday.
SCISYS signs software deal with Airbus Defence and Space
Bespoke software systems provider SCISYS Group announced on Wednesday that its SCISYS Deutschland operation had been awarded a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for development, integration, verification and maintenance of the EGNOS V3 Performance Assessment Facility (PAF).
Keras Resources upbeat on fresh Nayega assay results
Mineral resource company Keras Resources announced assay results from samples taken from stockpiles for its 10,000-tonne bulk sampling metallurgical testwork programme at the Nayega Manganese (Mn) project in northern Togo on Wednesday.
Gulf Keystone Petroleum sees strong performance from Shaikan Jurassic
Kurdistan-focussed operator and producer Gulf Keystone Petroleum updated the market on Wednesday, reporting that its production operations - underpinned by strong performance of the Shaikan Jurassic reservoir - had continued in line with expectations.
UK inflation eases off to near 2yr low
UK inflation eased off at the end of last year, as expected, due to a fall in fuel prices and airfares.
Finsbury Food revenues drop as bakeries closed
Finsbury Food was under the cosh on Wednesday as the speciality cake manufacturer posted a drop in half-year revenue following the closure of some of its bakeries.
Ethernity Networks completes inaugural delivery of next-gen SmartNIC
Network processing and security solutions provider Ethernity Networks has successfully completed inaugural delivery of its 100Gbps ‘ACE-NIC100 FPGA SmartNIC’ to a major Korean original equipment manufacturer, it announced on Wednesday.
UK Oil & Gas reports sustained production from Horse Hill well test programme
UK Oil & Gas announced on Wednesday that Horse Hill Developments - its subsidiary and operator of the Horse Hill oil field - had informed it that sustained production continued to be maintained from the HH-1 extended well test programme, achieving a gross aggregate total of over 25,000 barrels to date - a “significant” production milestone.
Allergy Therapeutics sees good first-half progress
Commercial biotechnology company Allergy Therapeutics updated the market for the six months ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that it was trading in line with board expectations.
Bovis Homes sees FY profits 'slightly ahead' of market consensus
FTSE 250 housebuilder Bovis Homes said on Wednesday that profits for 2018 are expected to be "slightly ahead" of market consensus following a "significant" improvement in its operational performance.
Tullow Oil production falls but seen rising in 2019
Tullow Oil revealed full year oil production fell 1% into the bottom half of its guided range, but said it expects to grow output 6-15% in 2019.
Winkworth sees FY profit 'slightly ahead' despite challenging market
AIM-listed estate agent Winkworth reported a rise in full-year total revenue on Wednesday and said full-year profit should be "slightly ahead" of 2017 despite a challenging market.
Saga trading in line in 'challenging' market
Saga, which provides products and services for people aged 50 and over, said on Wednesday that trading has continued to be in line with its expectations, with a good performance from the travel business.
London open: Stocks steady as pound holds up ahead of no-confidence vote
London's financial markets were eerily calm on Wednesday following Theresa May's Brexit defeat in Parliament, with investors seemingly assuaged by the prospect of a softer deal and possible extension of Article 50, as the Prime Minister braced for another challenge.
Brownfield development drives growth at Hochschild Mining
Hochschild Mining issued its production report for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting record full-year attributable production in 2018 with 260,436 ounces of gold.