Market Pulse
Europe midday: German stocks pace gains, SPD vote on coalition talks in focus
German issues are pacing gains on the Continent, thanks to a pause in the single currency's recent rapid move higher following news of a potential setback for German lawmakers to craft a coalition government.
Capita loses Prudential life and pensions contract to TCS
Prudential is transferring the administration of its life and pensions business from Capita to Tata Consultancy Services in July as part of a wider customer and technology transformation programme.
Europe open: Stocks edge higher after Japanese FX intervention
Stocks are edging higher thanks to a pause in the single currency's recent rapid move higher after Japan's finance minister cautioned overnight against "big swings" in foreign exchange markets.
Science In Sport gets the formula right, sales up more than a quarter
Sports nutrition company Science in Sport (SIS) witnessed a 28% uptick in sales throughout its last trading year, as continued investment into the group's online platform and operations resulted in direct sales increasing by more than half.
Hummingbird Resources prepares to open Malian gold mine
Multi-asset gold company Hummingbird Resources saw production begin on budget and on schedule at its Yanfolila Gold Mine in Mali during its fourth trading quarter, setting the firm up for a promising 2018.
London midday: Stocks turn lower as investors digest inflation data; miners weigh
London stocks reversed small gains to trade a touch lower by midday on Tuesday, with losses in the mining sector holding back the main index and offsetting any benefit from a fall in the pound as data showed UK inflation fell slightly last month to give the Bank of England more breathing space.
Anglo Asian Mining tops full-year production guidance despite pit closure
AIM-quoted gold exploration and development firm Anglo Asian Mining saw production top out at the upper end of its guidance over the year ended 31 December, but fell short of besting its previous outing.
Asia close: Hang Seng tops 2007 highs
Equities in the Asia Pacific region raced ahead on Wednesday, led by gains in Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng index, which topped its pre-crisis highs.
US pre-open: Stocks to hit fresh highs as investors eye Citigroup earnings
US futures pointed to a much firmer open on Wall Street on Tuesday, with indices set to hit new highs as markets reopen after the Martin Luther King Jr holiday.
CPI dips to suggest UK inflation may have peaked
UK inflation retreated slightly last month, reducing pressure on the Bank of England over interest rates.
German CPI dips in December, but prices expected to pick-up
The cost of living in Germany dipped last month, but economists expected rising crude oil price quotes on international markets and a tight labour market would boost the level of prices as the year progressed.
BP to take $1.7bn charge on Deepwater Horizon spill
BP said it expected to take a post-tax non-operating charge of around $1. 7bn in the fourth quarter as part of the class action settlement of the disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil well spill in the US in 2010.
Provident Financial struggles with home credit business as FCA resolution eyed
Provident Financial reported "progress" in the final quarter of the year but 20% fewer new customer bookings for its Vanquis Bank arm and said it expects losses from its doorstep lending business to be at the larger end of expectations.
Spain likely to replace the US as the second most visited country in the world
Spain is expected to replace the US as the world’s second most popular tourist destination after France, according to data from the Madrid-based UN World Tourism Organization.
Premier Foods third-quarter sales up 4%, strategic partnerships help
Premier Foods reported a rise in third-quarter sales on Tuesday, although Cadbury cake sales dropped in the UK and sales of Mr Kipling cakes also declined.
Premier Technical Services expects minimal impact from Carillion liquidation
Niche specialist services company Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG) anticipated that results for its most recent trading year would be in line with the board's expectations.
SPD Berlin chapter votes against grand coalition, polls more optimistic
German lawmakers' attempts to forge a grand coalition were a dealt a blow overnight after the Berlin chapter of the country's Socialist party, the SPD, voted against entering another power-sharing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU/CSU.
Interserve wins £37m contract with Spanish airports operator
Support services and construction group Interserve has been awarded a £37m, four-year passenger support contract with Spanish airports operator, AENA.
InnovaDerma revenues heat up ahead of tanning season
British beauty and personal care products developer InnovaDerma saw revenue increase 31% over the six months leading to 31 December, as the group continued to make solid progress in securing new retail accounts.
Distil brews up strong batch of third quarter results
AIM-listed spirits group Distil saw an increased level of sales during its third trading quarter, including the all-important Christmas period.