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Wednesday newspaper round-up: Brexit talks, Facebook, Metro Bank, Eon
Theresa May has taken back control of crucial negotiations with Brussels from her new Brexit secretary just hours after the government published its white paper on withdrawing from the European Union. The prime minister announced she would now lead the crunch talks with the EU while Dominic Raab, who was appointed two weeks ago, would be left in charge of domestic preparations, no-deal planning and legislation. – Guardian.
London's average rent soars above £2000
Asking rents in London have increased more than anywhere else in the UK, with the monthly rate hitting £2,000 in the second quarter of 2018 as a lack of new property available in parts of the city led to the time to find renters speeding up.
Berenberg points out value in UK housebuilders
Berenberg initiated coverage of a host of housebuilders on Wednesday at buy' and 'hold' ratings, after the sector has endured a tough 2018 and with shares down 16% amid concerns about cooling house price inflation and rising build costs.
Director dealings: Ascential CEO ups stake following mixed results
Ascential chief executive Duncan Painter forked out £178,000 of shares in the business-to-business media group.
Results round-up
Despite a good level of order intake, engineer Ricardo expects full-year profits to come in at the lower end of analysts' forecasts.
Baron Oil agrees to help drill two Corallian wells
Baron Oil has made an amendment its farm-out agreement with Corallian Energy and will now earn an 8% working interest in UK continental shelf licence P1918, agreeing to help fund the drilling of the Wick well in the Moray Firth and the onshore Colter well in the Weald basin.
UK govt gives employers 'toolkit' to register EU workers post-Brexit
UK employers, industry groups and community groups will be given a “toolkit” by the government to give EU citizens living in Britain practical advice on how to apply for a settled status that will be legally required post-Brexit.
IDOX swings to a loss after substantial impairment
Information management group IDOX revealed on Wednesday that revenues and EBITDA had slipped, swinging the group to a loss for its first-half.
Vodafone acquires 5G spectrum in Spain as competition bites
As it battles increased competition in Spain, Vodafone's local operation has snapped up a €198. 1m band of mobile spectrum for 5G data services as the Spanish Economic Ministry’s auction was concluded on Wednesday.
Europe close: DAX leads declines as traders eye White House trade risks
European bourses were all in the red by the close on Wednesday following a mixed start as investors waded through corporate news and as nerves crept in ahead of a key meeting between EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and US President Trump.
London close: Stocks slide on trade jitters ahead of Trump-Juncker meeting
London stocks erased all their gains from the day before as jitters set in ahead of US President Trump's meeting with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday evening, with a flood of earnings news to keep investors busy.
US open: Mixed trading ahead of Trump's meeting with Juncker
Wall Street trading began on a mixed note on Wednesday as investors sifted through earnings reports and eyed a key meeting between Donald Trump and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Broker tips: Next, Vodafone, Air Partner
Next’s second quarter trading update is likely to be fairly strong and an upgrade to the company’s guidance looks likely but the fashion chain is fairly valued, Jefferies analysts said ahead of a trading update next week.
Gfinity fattens up with big Domino's e-sports deal
UK-based esports company Gfinity on Wednesday announced the largest commercial deal in its history as it signed a multi-season agreement with takeaway pizza chain Domino's.
Merlin theme parks to half-price tickets in Coke plastic recycling offer
UK theme parks such as Legoland and Thorpe Park owned by Merlin Entertainment have joined Coca-Cola in a recycling project that will offer tourists a half-price ticket to the park in exchange for used plastic bottles.
Randgold on track for better output from Congo's Kibali
Randgold Resources revealed that production at its Kibali mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen more than expected on the back of the optimisation of its automated underground operation.
Marston's serves up decent third-quarter result
Marston's reported improved trading in the third quarter thanks to hot weather and World Cup football, but directors did not upgrade their guidance for the full year.
Ryanair could axe 300 jobs in Dublin fleet cuts
Low-cost airline Ryanair announced on Wednesday it plans on cutting its Dublin based fleet by 20% to 24 aircraft for the winter 2018 season and could axe 300 jobs in the process.
FCA bans Secure My Money directors from working in financial services
The UK's financial watchdog has fined and banned four former directors of Secure My Money after finding they had taken more than £7. 2m from around 124,000 online customers by duping them into believing they had been approved for short-term loans.