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Europe open: Auto makers and travel names pace early gains
Investors were pushing shares of auto manufacturers to the fore on Wednesday amid optimism regarding governments' plans to reopen economies and ease restrictions on travel across the Continent.
Plant Health Care shares surge on field trial data
Shares in agricultural biological products company Plant Health Care surged on Wednesday morning, after it released positive data from the completed 2019 field trials of its ‘PREtec’ peptide ‘PHC279’ for the control of plant diseases in corn, wheat and lettuce crops.
Ironveld looking to extend option period with IIG
Ironveld updated the market on the IIG option agreement on Wednesday, having entered into arrangements with IIG to raise potential gross proceeds of $3. 2m (£2. 6m) on 30 March.
MyCelx Technologies swings to loss amid slowdown
Oil and gas industry clean water technology company MyCelx Technologies reported revenue of $11. 9m (£9. 68m) in its final results on Wednesday, down from $27m year-on-year.
Mozambique court rejects Pathfinder application over contested licence
Pathfinder Minerals said on Wednesday that the Mozambique Supreme Court has rejected its application to recognise a judgment by the English High Court.
Grocery sales jump at record pace
Grocery sales jumped 14. 3% – the fastest pace on record – in the 12 weeks to mid-May as households stocked up during the Covid-19 crisis and let their hair down on the VE Day bank holiday.
Christie Group accepts £6m coronavirus interruption loan
Professional and financial services provider Christie Group said on Wednesday that it had accepted the offer of a Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan of £6m.
Petropavlovsk FY profits slip despite sharp revenue growth
Russian oil and gas explorer Petropavlovsk posted a slight drop in full-year profits on Wednesday as a result of increased one-off expenses throughout 2019.
London open: Stocks rise despite Hong Kong tensions
London stocks rose in early trade on Wednesday as optimism over lockdown easing and a stimulus package for the European Union helped to offset concerns about tensions in Hong Kong.
Caledonia 'committed' to dividend after upping payout
Caledonia Investments said it was committed to its dividend after increasing the payout despite a fall in asset values caused by the Covid-19 crisis.
M&G to pay dividends as it works to save costs
M&G updated the market on its position amid the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, reporting that it remained “financially strong”, with its shareholder Solvency II coverage ratio said to be “comfortably above” its risk appetite throughout the crisis, standing at 168% as at 31 March.
Provident Financial volumes fall 20% as lending rules tighten
Doorstep lender Provident Financial said new business volumes fell 20% in the four months to April 30 as it tightened lending rules in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hammerson CEO David Atkins to leave after a decade
Hammerson is looking for a new chief executive after David Atkins stepped down after a decade in charge at the commercial property company.
St James's Place April net inflows tick higher
Asset manager St James’s Place reported a small uptick in net inflows for the month of April, as it hailed "resilience" in a challenging environment but cautioned over an uncertain outlook.
Britvic defers decision on dividend on Covid-19 concerns
Drinks maker Britvic deferred its interim dividend as it weighed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which it said was still hitting profits at around £12m - £18m a month.
Auto Trader offers discount as customers in England prepare to reopen
Auto Trader Group updated the market on the support it was providing customers during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis on Wednesday, following confirmation from the UK government around the reopening of vehicle retail in England.
London pre-open: Stocks seen higher amid optimism over lockdown easing
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Wednesday, with optimism over lockdown easing expected to offset worries about growing tensions between the US and Hong Kong.
British Land portfolio value falls 10% as retail drops
The value of British Land's property fell 10% in the last financial year pushing the real estate company to a net loss of more than £1bn as the value of its retail sites fell sharply.
Britvic defers interim dividend, British Land portfolio value falls 10pc
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 34 points higher on Wednesday, having closed up 1. 24% at 6,067. 76 on Tuesday.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Retailers, Boohoo, British industry
Many retailers given the go-ahead to reopen next month will face a “fight for survival” in the coming months, as they try to restore their fortunes with tough new physical distancing and health and safety requirements, a senior retail executive has warned. Clothes shops, toy stores, electronics retailers and booksellers were on Monday given the green light to get back to business on 15 June. The date was two weeks later than most retailers had anticipated. Other high street businesses allowed to reopen on that date include indoor markets, shoe shops, tailors, auction houses and photography studios.