Market Pulse
Wednesday preview: Budget, OBR forecasts, results from UU, SSP, Sage
Chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget will dominate the UK headlines on Wednesday, with a moderately busy corporate diary not including results from United Utilities, Thomas Cook, Sage and SSP.
Budget preview: Hammond's faces unhappy balancing act
Philip Hammond faces a near-impossible task as he seeks to balance competing demands when delivering his budget.
Altus Strategies reaches combination agreement with Legend Gold
Africa-focussed exploration project generator Altus Strategies announced on Tuesday that, further to its update on 11 October, it has executed a definitive binding arrangement agreement with Legend Gold Corporation.
Mediapolis saga continues as Clear Leisure appeals latest court ruling
The ongoing legal saga of Clear Leisure and its Mediapolis asset took a fresh turn on Tuesday, as the company confirmed both itself and its Mediapolis subsidiary have appealed the recent judgement of the Ivrea Court in the Appeal Court of Turin.
Derwent London secures planning permission for two West End projects
Derwent London has secured planning permission from the City of Westminster for two projects totalling 443,000 square feet.
Helios Underwriting acquires small Lloyd's player Chapman
Helios Underwriting announced on Tuesday that, in line with its strategy of increasing underwriting capacity through acquisition, and following approval of change of control by Lloyd's of London, it has acquired Chapman Underwriting.
Empresaria lowers profit expectations, still anticipates record year
International specialist staffing group Empresaria updated the market on its trading on Tuesday, reporting that the second half adjusted profit before tax is expected to be ahead of both the first half and the prior year.
De La Rue revenue rises as currency business performs well
Banknote manufacturer De La Rue reported a rise in first-half revenues and profit on Tuesday on the back of strong growth in the currency business.
Serica takes on three BP interests in North Sea
Serica Energy’s wholly-owned subsidiary Serica UK has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire BP's interests in the Bruce, Keith and Rhum fields in the North Sea, it announced on Tuesday.
Europe midday: Will poll results goad German politicians back to bargaining table?
Stocks are holding higher, possibly influenced by the latest German poll results which might help coax the country's politicians to return to the negotiating table in order to help thrash out a stable government coalition - or face the voters again.
Asia report: Markets mostly higher as oil prices rise
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Tuesday, following a mostly higher session on Wall Street overnight, as focus turned to energy prices ahead of an upcoming OPEC meeting in Vienna.
London midday: Stocks turn up as deficit unexpectedly widens
London stocks had reversed earlier losses to trade up just a touch by midday on Tuesday as data revealed an unexpected widening of the UK deficit ahead of the Autumn Budget.
UK manufacturing output growth hits highest since 1988
UK manufacturing output growth has leapt to a 29-year high as the weak pound drives export demand, though Brexit uncertainty is holding back investment.
Solid State profits down despite increased revenues
Electronics firm Solid State increased revenue 12% over the six months leading to 30 September but was unable to improve profits as expenses grew throughout the half.
Severfield expects full-year results to be 'comfortably ahead' of expectations
Structural steelwork company Severfield saw pre-tax profits rise 59% in the six months leading to 30 September, as the group's 1,400 employees split their time between 80 new projects, including Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium and work to the roof of Wimbledon's No. 1 court.
Webis returns to profit on 'significantly improved' trading
Gaming and technology services group Webis Holdings reported a "significantly improved trading performance" for the full-year as its core business, WatchandWager. com saw a substantial increase in turnover and gross profits.
Ministers agree to double Brexit divorce offer to €40bn
Senior ministers have backed Theresa May's plan to double Britain's offer of payment to leave the EU to €40bn, reports said.
Jaywing tumbles as losses widen amid 'difficult' trading conditions
Digital marketing firm Jaywing saw a small increase in its revenue over the first half of the trading year, but higher expenses resulted in wider losses that sent shares tumbling on Tuesday morning.
US pre-open: Stocks to edge higher ahead of earnings; retailers in focus
US futures pointed to a marginally firmer open on Wall Street on Tuesday as investors eyed a slew of corporate releases.
Europe open: Traders buy the dip, focus on Berlin and London
Stocks are moving higher at the start of trading despite the present political deadlock in Germany, albeit amid reports Westminster has offered Brussels to double the size of its divorce bill to £40bn, which might allow Brexit talks to proceed.