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Europe open: Stocks tread water ahead of Fed rate decision
Stocks across the Continent were trading water overall on Wednesday as investors waited on the US central bank's policy announcement scheduled for later in the day and a raft of corporate earnings Stateside over coming days.
Premier Foods Q2 sales rise 22.5%
Mr Kipling, Bisto and Oxo owner Premier Foods reported a jump in first-quarter sales on Wednesday as more consumers ate at home during the coronavirus lockdown, but said this was expected to return to more normal levels as people start eating out again.
PHP lifts dividend, swings to profit as demand for healthcare space soars
Primary Health Properties increased its dividend as it returned to profitability driven by strong demand for extra space to relieve pressure on the National Health Service caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Motif Bio shares suspended from trading
Pharmaceutical company Motif Bio saw its shares suspended from trading on Wednesday in order to satisfy AIM rules.
Hipgnosis acquires music catalogue of Grammy winner Rodney Jerkins
Intellectual property investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund has bought the music catalogue of Grammy-winning rapper, producer, composer and songwriter Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins.
Weir H1 profit slumps as oil & gas markets hit
Weir reported a 41% decline in first-half profit on Wednesday amid challenging conditions in the oil and gas markets.
Dignity profits rise amid coronavirus deaths
Funeral services provider Dignity reported a jump in interim profit and revenue on Wednesday amid a surge in deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Unite swings to interim loss, scraps dividend
Student accommodation provider Unite scrapped its interim dividend on Wednesday after revealing it had swung to an interim loss as the Covid-19 pandemic battered the value of its properties.
Coats names Devro's Callaway as CFO designate
Industrial thread manufacturer Coats tapped Jackie Callaway for the role of chief financial officer on Wednesday.
Tullow Oil narrows full-year output guidance, lowers long-term oil price forecast
Tullow Oil reported that output was in-line with expectations during the first half of the year, but "narrowed" its guidance for full-year output and lowered its forecasts for oil prices both in the near-term and when looking further out.
Revenue improves but earnings slide in first half at FDM Group
FDM Group reported a 5% improvement in revenue in its first half on Wednesday, to £140. 5m, although its adjusted operating profit slid 24% to £20. 5m.
Lancashire swings to loss after increased Covid-19 loss estimate
Lancashire Holdings reported a “resilient” business model in its first half on Wednesday, despite the global disruption caused by Covid-19, as gross premiums written increased 15. 3% year-on-year to $495. 5m (£382. 23m), although it did swing to a loss before tax of $23m.
Network International raises £205m in placing for DPO acquisition
Payment solutions provider Network International has raised around £205m in a discounted placing to buy African online commerce platform DPO Group.
Aston Martin losses widen on weak sales but signs of China recovery
Losses at luxury carmaker Aston Martin widened in the first half as Covid-related factory closures hit already-struggling sales, although there were signs of a recovery in China during June.
Rathbone Brothers maintains dividend after 'resilient' first half
Rathbone Brothers reported a 2% fall in total funds under management and administration to £49. 4bn at the end of its first half on Wednesday, from the £50. 4bn at the end of December.
London open: Stocks steady ahead of Fed announcement; Next surges
London stocks were little changed in early trade on Wednesday amid lingering concerns about a second wave of Covid-19 and as investors eyed the latest policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve.
Drax hikes interim dividend, takes hit from coal obsolescence
Drax Group reported a 30% improvement in group adjusted EBITDA in its first half on Wednesday, to £179m.
Taylor Wimpey swings to H1 loss as Covid-19 delays completions
Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey expects full-year completions to drop as much as 40% in 2020 as a result of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wizz Air conserves cash in Q2, launches 200 new routes
Wizz Air Holdings saw its flights come to a near standstill in the second quarter, but managed to conserve cash and by period end had resumed a majority of flights and launched 200 new routes.
Smith & Nephew slashes costs after first-half market slump
Smith & Nephew reported an 18. 7% fall in revenue in its first half on Wednesday, to $2. 035bn (£1. 57bn), as it swung to an operating loss of $5m, from a profit of $419m a year earlier.