Market Pulse
Gulfsands confirms expiry of Morocco licence
Oil and gas company Gulfsands Petroleum updated the market on its Moulay Bouchta Petroleum Agreement, which is held by its subsidiary Gulfsands Petroleum Morocco, on Wednesday.
EasyHotel signs 25-year lease on Oxford property
Budget hotel owner, developer and operator easyHotel announced on Wednesday that it signed a 25 year lease on a site in the city of Oxford, for the development of a new purpose-built easyHotel.
Provident Financial tanks as it warns over consumer credit division
Shares in Provident Financial tanked early on Wednesday after it cautioned that its consumer credit division will see profits nearly halve in 2017 compared to a year ago, mostly due to restructuring.
Brave Bison appoints Claire Hungate as CEO, says current trading in line
Digital media and social video business Brave Bison announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Claire Hungate as its chief executive officer as it said current trading is in line with management and market expectations.
Wynnstay revenue up, pet products drag on earnings
Wynnstay posted its half year results for the six months to 30 April on Wednesday, with the board saying its figures benefited from greater demand for agricultural inputs over the winter period, but were affected by continued subdued trading at its pet products business Just for Pets.
St Modwen JV sells Nine Elms Square to China's Wanda
St Modwen Properties expects to receive £190m from the sale of the Nine Elms Square in Battersea, London after it was sold to Chinese buyers on Wednesday.
Europe midday: Oil prices, French politics in focus
Stocks were coming off their lows of the session heading into the opening bell on Wall Street, with investors continuing to keep a close eye on crude oil futures and a string of resignations in France's centre-right MoDem party, a key ally of President Macron.
Asia report: Markets slip after MSCI China inclusion
Markets in Asia were mostly lower on Wednesday, after confirmation from MSCI that mainland China shares would be included in its emerging markets index on a gradual basis.
Hornby chairman Canham resigns after Phoenix Asset Management offer
Hornby's executive chairman Roger Canham has resigned with immediate effect after Phoenix Asset Management Partners launched a mandatory 32. 375 pence a share offer for the shares in the model train set maker it doesn't already own, valuing it at £27. 4m.
UK budget deficit falls to decade low but expected to rise this year
UK public borrowing declined more than expected in May, providing encouraging reading for Chancellor Philip Hammond, although the budget deficit is still expected to increase over the rest of the year as the economy weakens.
US pre-open: Stocks seen weaker as investors keep an eye on oil
US futures pointed to another day of losses on Wall Street on Wednesday.
Wizz Air orders 10 new Airbus A321ceo aircraft
Budget airline Wizz Air has ordered an additional 10 Airbus A321ceo aircraft to join its fleet in 2018 and 2019.
Echo Energy makes first Bolivian transaction
Echo Energy confirmed the signature of its first transaction in Bolivia on Wednesday, following its recently-announced onshore gas strategy across Latin America.
WPP invests $6.5m in US-based digital news company Mic Network
Advertising giant WPP has made a $6. 5m strategic investment in US-based digital news company Mic Network, which targets millennials.
London open: Stocks edge lower as investors eye Queen's Speech
London stocks edged lower in early trade on Wednesday amid weaker oil prices, while UK investors awaited the Queen's Speech.
Europe and US drive growth at Walker Greenbank
Luxury interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank was holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday morning, with Terry Stannard set to update shareholders on the progress made by the business so far this year.
Whitbread sales froth up at Costa and Premier in first quarter
Whitbread booked in a strong start to its new financial year, with revenues at its Premier Inn hotels accelerating and Costa coffee shops sales returning to like-for-like growth.
Europe open: Banks, Big Oil lead losses
Losses for Big Oil and banks were dragging European stocks lower at the start of trading.
Berkeley Group hoists profits 53pc, remains confident despite headwinds
Housebuilder Berkeley Group lifted annual pre-tax profits 53% and while it warned the business was facing "a number of headwinds and a period of prolonged uncertainty" around its core London housing market, it had £2. 7bn of forward sales booked and remained confident of delivering its profits guidance for the next four years.