Market Pulse
GoTech in talks with NHS over 'skills2achieve' product
Sports and wellbeing focused technology company GoTech Group announced on Tuesday that it remained in discussions with the National Health Service, which was looking to support a potential pilot with around 200 schools nationwide to assess the impact of the ‘skills2achieve’ product in the health education of four-to-11 year olds in the fight against childhood obesity.
Bacanora Minerals to buy 50% stake in German lithium project
AIM-listed miner Bacanora Minerals is to buy a 50% stake in, and gain joint operational control of, the Zinnwald lithium project in Germany from SolarWorld for an initial €5m that could rise to €40m.
Trakm8 warns on profits but outlook 'remains very positive'
Trakm8 has warned annual operating profits will be "significantly" below the prior year, as it endures delays to new revenues coming on stream as its shifting revenue model towards more software-as-a-service and rental revenue continues to weigh on finances in the short term.
HSBC downgrades Bodycote to 'hold' on valuation
HSBC has downgraded Bodycote to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ with an unchanged target price of 675p ahead of the metal-treating specialist’s 2016 results, as it believes its stock is currently fairly valued.
AFH Financial Group buys Devon-based financial management company for £1.4m
Wealth manager AFH Financial Group has bought Devon-based Bay Financial Management, for up to £1. 4m to strengthen the company’s presence in the south west of England.
Macron still ahead of Le Pen in voter intention, Ipsos poll shows
Ex-French economy minister Emmanuel Macron's lead over far-right rival Marine Le Pen widened according to the latest poll result from Ipsos Fiducial.
GLI Finance plans SME Loan Fund sale
GLI Finance said it was looking at selling its stake in the SME Loan Fund for slight discount in order to repay a £14. 86m syndicated loan that matures on 15 March.
Eurozone business activity jumps in February
The pace of economic activity in the eurozone unexpectedly improved in February, nearing a six-year high, according to data released on Tuesday.
French CPI gains fall short of forecasts in January
The cost of living in France jumped in January amid strong gains for both food and energy prices but outside of those areas consumer price increases were subdued, economists said.
Artilium gains 5-year contract extension with biggest customer
Artilium, a provider of telecommunication software, has expanded its mobile virtual network enabler platform deal with its largest customer, Telenet Group, for the next five years.
Saudi Aramco flotation may be pushed back until 2019
Efforts to float a stake of Saudi Arabian state oil firm Saudi Aramco have been stunted, with the date of potentially world's largest ever IPO being pushed back as far as 2019.
Investec upgrades WH Smith, highlights global travel market potential
WH Smith got a boost as Investec lifted the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and bumped up the price target to 1,900p from 1,550p.
Galliford Try hikes interim dividend 23% on confident outlook
Galliford Try upped its interim dividend by 23% as it entered the second half with growing profits and record order books in two of its three businesses but saw construction profits fall as new management continues to deal with legacy issues.
Investec "reluctantly" downgrades OneSavings after strong run
Investec has “reluctantly” downgraded OneSavings Bank to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’, holding the price target at 385p.
Europe open: Flat start as investors continue to eye political risk
European stocks began Tuesday little changed ahead of the release of key eurozone manufacturing and service sector surveys and several speeches from US central bank officials later in the day.
AO World slumps on Morgan Stanley downgrade
Online electrical goods retailer AO World slumped on Tuesday as Morgan Stanley downgraded its stance on the stock to ‘underweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and cut the price target to 135p from 170p.
London open: Stocks edge lower, with HSBC under pressure after results
Stocks in London edged lower in early trade as investors sifted through a raft of corporate news, including a disappointing set of results from banking giant HSBC.
Balfour Beatty to sell Middle East JVs for £11m
Infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty has agreed to sell its stake in the Dutco Balfour Beatty and BK Gulf for £11m, subject to regulatory approval, in order to focus on the its markets in the UK, US, and Far East.
Wolseley to merge Swiss plumbing and heating business with Walter Meiro
Building materials firm Wolseley is to merge its Swiss plumbing and heating business with Walter Meiro, a Swiss heating and ventilation and air conditioning distributor.
Safestore locks up solid first quarter improvements
Self storage provider Safestore posted its first quarter trading update for the three months to 31 January on Tuesday, with like-for-like revenue up 9. 4% year-on-year to £29. 2m - though at constant exchange rates, the improvement was just 4. 7%.