Latest News
PwC to create 600 jobs in Northern Ireland
PriceWaterhouseCoopers will hire over 600 skilled employees in Northern Ireland over the next five years as part of a special trainee program.
Europe close: Shares end on mixed note despite improvement in trade news
European stocks finished on a mixed note on Wednesday, despite positive comments on Sino-US trade out of Washington and a surprise improvement in French consumer confidence.
Thursday preview: Euro area money supply, Tokyo CPI in focus
The market spotlight on Thursday will shift back towards the euro and Japan, especially so given that US financial markets will remain closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
London close: Footsie edges higher on the back of gains for tobacco stocks
London equities finished in the green on Wednesday, with tobacco stocks on the up after a well-received update from British American Tobacco, and investor sentiment underpinned by optimism over a China-US trade deal.
Director dealings: New Whitbread director makes share purchase
Whitbread revealed on Wednesday that newly appointed non-executive director Horst Baier had purchased 1,600 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed Premier Inn owner.
Broker tips: Johnson Matthey, Mitchells & Butlers
Liberum slashed its price target on shares of Johnson Matthey on Wednesday to 3,500p from 4,400p following the company’s first-half results earlier this month.
Caspian Sunrise makes progress at BNG Contract Area
Caspian Sunrise updated the market on operations from its flagship BNG Contract Area on Wednesday, reporting that at well A5 - part of the ‘deep wells’ - the drilling phase had been completed without incident, and Baker Hughes had been contracted to undertake the cementing work.
AorTech shares surge on agreement with Medibrane
Medical devices company AorTech International has entered into an intellectual property licence agreement with Medibrane, it announced on Wednesday, allowing the use of its ‘Elast-Eon’ product for the encapsulation of medical devices.
Grafenia narrows losses despite tough times for clients
Grafenia reported turnover of £8. 41m in its first half results on Wednesday, rising from £8. 31m year-on-year, as it swung to EBITDA of £0. 02m, from a loss of £0. 44m a year earlier.
Iomart hikes dividend after 15% profit growth
Iomart boosted its interim payout on Wednesday, after it reported a double-digit increase in profit due to strong revenue growth.
FTSE 100 movers: Tobacco stocks rise; Johnson Matthey hit by broker note
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% at 7,435. 30 in afternoon trade on Wednesday amid optimism over China-US trade talks.
US open: Mixed start to trading as US-Sino relations remain in focus
Wall Street trading began on a mixed note on Wednesday following further conversations between officials in Washington and Beijing.
US Q3 GDP revised slightly higher
America's economy grew a tad more quickly than anticipated during the previous quarter, revised government data showed, even as price pressures declined sharply.
Wednesday broker round-up
Shaftesbury: Jefferies downgrades to underperform with a target price of 790p.
US durable goods orders rise more quickly than expected in October
Orders for goods made to last more than three years jumped past forecasts last month, amid strong demand for aircraft and a much stronger-than-expected reading for so-called core capital goods orders.
FTSE 250 movers: Aston Martin accelerates, Future falls
London's FTSE 250 was higher by 0. 31% at 20,930. 17 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Aston Martin Lagonda leading the index upward.
Grainger profits climb after net rental growth
Grainger on Wednesday reported that annual profits grew by almost a third after a jump in rental income driven by a new acquisition and property completions.
Sosandar hails exceptional trading as it hits sales milestone
Online retailer Sosandar called autumn trading “exceptional” on Wednesday, after a marketing campaign helped it surpass net monthly revenues of £1. 0m for the first time.
Alliance Pharma handing back 'Xonvea' rights to Duchesnay
Alliance Pharma has reached agreement with Duchesnay of Canada to return the UK and EU licensing rights to ‘Xonvea’, a prescription medicine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy where conservative management has failed, it announced on Wednesday.
Pressure Technologies subsidiary found guilty over fatal accident
Specialist engineering group Pressure Technologies updated the market on the verdict its subsidiary had received in court over a fatal health and safety matter on Wednesday.