Market Pulse
Genus hails firmer beef prices as Sexcel offering received warmly
Animal genetics specialist Genus is trotting confidently towards full year growth targets after a "generally favourable" first four and a half months of its financial year.
Thursday broker round-up
TalkTalk: RBC downgrades to Sector Perform with a target price of 190p.
Assura plans £330m fundraise for development, refinancing
Assura announced a proposed share issuance on Thursday, to raise gross proceeds of up to £300m through the issue of up to 526,315,789 new ordinary shares by way of a firm placing, placing and open offer.
Assura profits surge as pipeline remains 'strong'
Primary care property investor Assura announced its half year results for the six months to 30 September on Wednesday, reporting a 76% increase in profit before tax to £73. 4m.
HICL Infrastructure announces second quarter dividend
HICL Infrastructure Company announced a second quarterly interim dividend for the financial year to 31 March 2018 of 1. 96p per ordinary share on Thursday.
Dart Group flies higher as it posts jump in H1 profit and revenue
Shares in Dart Group flew higher on Thursday after the Jet2 owner posted a jump in first-half profit and revenue, although it also warned of increased losses in the second half as it continues to invest in additional aircraft, advertising and people.
Virgin Money trims guidance for 2018 mortgage lending
Virgin Money has trimmed guidance for mortgage lending next year and told investors to expect tighter profit margins and higher investment spending.
Europe open: Stocks stage bounce, but traders dividend over its staying power
Stocks are staging a bounce early-on even as traders ponder whether to participate or not, while keeping a wary eye on the news-flow out of Capitol Hill regarding Republicans'push for tax cuts.
UKCPT forward-funds £32m Dalata hotel project in Newcastle
UK Commercial Property Trust has made its first acquisition in the hotel sub-sector, it announced on Wednesday, having contracted to forward-fund the development of a 265-bedroom four-star Maldron Hotel in Newcastle city centre for £32m, net of finance.
International PPL continues to make portfolio progress
Public infrastructure projects firm International Public Partnerships updated the market on its portfolio performance for the period from 1 July to 15 November on Thursday, saying its portfolio of 127 investments in regulated and public infrastructure projects is performing fully in line with expectations.
Qinetiq first-half profit up, maintains expectations for FY18
FTSE 250 defence technology group Qinetiq reported a rise in first-half profit and revenue on Thursday as it maintained its expectations for FY18.
UK retail sales growth fall to lowest in over four years
UK retail sales bounced back more than expected last month but showed the first annual decline in four and a half years, with the prognosis for the sector remaining grim amid the ongoing squeeze of household budgets.
New Iofina facility on track for first production in February 2018
Chemical production company Iofina announced on Thursday that construction of its newest iodine production plant IO#7 was progressing on time and budget with concrete work complete and steel erection, piping and electrical works all underway.
Stewart and Wight shares retreat despite improved profits
UK-based property investment company Stewart and Wight posted a net profit of £204,534 in the six months leading to 30 September as the firm began to turn itself around after the previous year's loss of £101,976.
Ted Baker revenue rises despite challenging conditions
Retailer Ted Baker posted a 7. 3% jump in revenue for the 13 week period from 13 August 2017 to 11 November on Thursday, despite challenging conditions across some of its global markets.
Royal Mail posts confident interims as parcel and letter volumes improve
Underlying profits at Royal Mail improved in the first half of the year and it nudged its interim dividend higher, though the costs of transforming the business saw reported operating profits plummet more than 80%.
Close Brothers loan book rises, hails good start to year
FTSE 250 merchant bank Close Brothers reported a 1. 4% rise in its loan book for the first quarter, saying it has made “a good start” to the year with continued strong profitability across all three divisions.
WPP shifting US listing to NYSE from Nasdaq
Advertising and public relations behemoth WPP announced on Thursday that it is transferring the listing of its American depositary shares to the New York Stock Exchange from the Nasdaq Global Market, where they currently trade under the ticker ‘WPPGY’.
Legal & General makes some senior management changes
Legal & General Group announced a senior management shuffle in its Legal & General Retirement (LGR) and Legal & General Capital (LGC) divisions on Wednesday.
National Grid commits $550m to US operations, seeks approval to up rates
National Grid committed $550m of investment to its Massachusetts business as filed a request with the state's Department of Public Utilities to increase distribution rates for its gas utilities in the region.