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London midday: Stocks maintain gains amid sterling weakness; M&S under pressure
London stocks were still in the green by midday on Wednesday, underpinned by a weaker pound as Prime Minister Theresa May’s tweaked Brexit deal looked set for an even bigger defeat than the first three.
21st Century Technology inks extension to Arriva contract
Systems and software provider 21st Century Technology has secured a three-year contract extension to its existing framework agreement with Arriva's UK bus unit.
Telit Communications shakes up boardroom
Internet-of-Things enabler Telit Communications executive chairman Paolo Dal Pino switched to the role of chief executive on Wednesday.
Higher energy bills push inflation above Bank of England target
Inflation crept above the Bank of England’s target in April, pushed upwards by rising energy and transport costs, but remained below consensus forecasts, official data showed on Wednesday.
Antofagasta upbeat on copper prices despite trade tensions
Antofagasta said the outlook for copper prices was good despite global trade tensions as the world moves to reduce carbon emissions.
US pre-open: Futures point to flat open ahead of Fed minutes
Wall Street futures were pointing to a somewhat flat open on Wednesday, with market participants continuing to keep their eyes on the intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing.
Former Ashtead boss to replace Gareth Davis as Ferguson chair
Plumbing and heating products distributor Ferguson has named former Ashtead chief executive Geoff Drabble as its new chairman.
British Steel failure threatens thousands of jobs
British Steel will be placed into administration on Wednesday, putting 5,000 jobs directly at risk and threatening another 20,000 in the company's supply chain.
Britvic profits bubble higher as low sugar market drives growth
Britvic reported higher interim profits and revenues on Wednesday as the UK's soft drinks market continued to grow despite the implementation of a soft drinks industry levy, according to Nielsen.
May's latest Brexit offer struggles to gain support
Theresa May's fourth version of her Brexit deal looked sunk before it had even sailed on Wednesday as MPs appeared to be distinctly underwhelmed by the new plan.
Thruvision inks 'strategically important' contracts with US clients
Screening technology provider Thruvision has scored two new strategically important contract awards totalling $3. 1m.
EPE Special Opportunities' long-time chairman passes away
Private equity investment company EPE Special Opportunities revealed on Wednesday that chairman Geoffrey Vero had passed away.
Barrick Gold offers to buy remaining shares of Acacia at a discount
Barrick Gold has offered to buy the remainder of Acacia Mining at a discount arguing that it was a necessary step in order to unblock the dispute between the miner and the government of Tanzania.
Canada's Nuvei to buy SafeCharge for 436p a share
SafeCharge surged on Wednesday as the payments technology company agreed to be bought by Canada’s Nuvei for CAD5. 55 a share in cash, or around 436p.
Purplebricks gains on takeover talk
Purplebricks shares rose on speculation that a US private equity firm was considering buying the online estate agent's UK business.
Intermediate Capital Group hikes dividend after AUM growth
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) climbed on Wednesday as it reported a jump in assets under management (AUM) and a 50% increase in dividend payout, though annual profits dipped due to a change in loan note valuation.
Riverstone Energy eyeing investments after series of monetisations
Riverstone Energy updated the market on the three months ended 31 March on Wednesday, reporting a net asset value of $1. 22bn, or £937m, at period end.
HICL Infrastructure income improves as it moves domicile to UK
HICL Infrastructure announced a significant improvement in its income for the year ended 31 March on Wednesday, to £324. 1m compared to £161. 7m a year earlier.
BHP seeks more copper, nickel and oil to meet demand
BHP said it wanted access to more copper, nickel and oil to take advantage of increasing demand as the miner set out its long-term strategy.
ContourGlobal earnings rise as it makes good portfolio progress
ContourGlobal reported a 23. 5% improvement in its adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of on Wednesday to $147. 0m, which it put down to the acquisition of the 250 MW Concentrated Solar Power facilities in the southwest of Spain in May last year, as well as improved wind resource and availability, partially offset by foreign exchange movements in the euro and Brazilian real.