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Europe midday: Takeover news lifts shares after tepid start
European stock markets eased into the green at lunch on Wednesday, spurred on by takeover activity to distract investors from the surging number of Covid cases.
Europe open: Shares make listless start as Covid realities hit home
European stocks opened Wednesday in deflated mood as continuing coronavirus worries offset the positive sentiment around a second potential vaccine.
UK's NAO hammers govt over failures in Covid contract awards
The UK government came under fire on Wednesday from parliament’s spending watchdog over failures in the way it handed out £18bn in coronavirus-related contracts, fuelling further claims of preferential treatment for firms with ministerial connections.
Lockdown cycling boom propels Halfords to bumper profits
Halfords pedalled to bumper interim profits on Wednesday as Britons got on their bikes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
SSE takes £115 first-half hit from coronavirus
Energy supplier SSE reported a fall in adjusted operating profit after taking a £115m hit from the coronavirus pandemic, but also maintained its interim dividend payout.