Market Report
Laird confirms £185m rights issue, posts 30% drop in FY profit
Electronics components maker Laird, whose shares tumbled back in October after a profit warning, has announced a fully-underwritten rights issue to raise around £185m in gross proceeds to reduce its indebtedness.
Tuesday broker round-up
Marks & Spencer: Jefferies upgrades to Buy from Underweight with a target price of 370p.
Britons more confident of UK economic outlook in January, Lloyds says
Britons' were significantly more confident about the UK economy's prospects at the start of 2017, even as concerns about the outlook for their disposable income mounted.
UBS starts Auto Trader at 'sell', says market expects too much
UBS initiated coverage of Auto Trader with a 'sell' rating and 375p price target.
GfK says Britons less confident in January on savings, outlook for personal finances
Britons were less optimistic in February, judging that both the outlook for their personal finances and ability to save had worsened, the results of a widely-followed survey revealed.
Taylor Wimpey builds on bumper dividend with 'very strong' start to 2017
As it posted largely pre-announced annual results, Taylor Wimpey said it had made a "very good" start to 2017 and suggested the UK housing market will remain supportive for its bumper dividend programme for some time.
Meggitt lifts dividend despite drop in full-year profit
FTSE 250 engineer Meggitt surged on Tuesday as investors welcomed news that it has lifted its dividend, despite reporting a drop in full-year pre-tax profit amid a difficult oil and gas market.
Marks & Spencer boosted by Jefferies upgrade
Marks & Spencer got a boost on Tuesday as Jefferies upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'underperform' and hiked the price target to 370p from 250p, pointing to the company's strategy progress.
Go-Ahead lowers FY expectations on GTR challenges
Transport operator Go-Ahead, which owns 65% of the Southern franchise through Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), reported a drop in first-half pre-tax profit as operating profit from the rail division slumped due to strike action, and the company lowered its full-year expectations for the bus and rail divisions.
Japanese industrial production unexpectedly shrinks in January
Japanese industrial production unexpectedly shrank in January amid declining output of transport equipment, chemicals and business oriented machinery.
Moneysupermarket FY profit rises, announces £40m share buyback
Price comparison website Moneysupermarket. com posted a rise in full-year profit as revenue grew and it announced a £40m share buyback.
Derwent London ups final dividend, adds more on back of new deals
Derwent London has recommended a special dividend after it announced £327m of property disposals above book value that are expected to complete in coming weeks.
Ofcom to cut BT landline-only bills by £5 a month
The telecoms regulator has announced plans to force BT to cut bills for customers who only have a landline by at least £5 a month to protect the vulnerable and elderly.
Boohoo lifts revenue growth expectations after strong trading
Online fashion retailer Boohoo. com said on Tuesday that revenue growth for the 12 months to 28 February is now likely to be around 50%, ahead of previous expectations thanks to strong trading since the last update in January.
Europe open: Stocks start slightly higher ahead of key Trump speech
European stocks began Tuesday's session with slight gains ahead of a key speech from US president Donald Trump scheduled for late in the evening.
Japan PM Abe and BoJ chief defend country's monetary policy
Japan's prime minister and central bank chief came out in defence of the policies pursued by the country's monetary authority.
Rentokil sets up Indian pest control joint venture
Rentokil Initial will merge into Indian pest control business into a new 57%-owned joint venture with privately owned PCI Pest Control that it said will be the largest provider in the subcontinent.
Anglo American's De Beers sees diamond sales value drop
De Beers Group, in which Anglo American holds a majority stake, saw sales drop in its second sales cycle of 2017.
Musk's SpaceX to fly tourists to the moon in 2018
SpaceX has announced an ambitious plan to launch a rocket carrying two tourists on a trip around the moon as early as 2018, despite the fact it has not yet tested the vehicle which will make the journey.
Greggs hits targets but remains cautious about UK consumer oulook
Greggs’ revenue for 2016 grew as the bakery transforms itself in a food-on-the-go-retailer, while the company was cautious about the consumer outlook in the UK.