Market Report
German unemployment drops more than expected in February
German unemployment fell more than expected last month, according to data from Destatis.
François Fillon meets with magistrates over jobs scandal, cancels visit to farm fair
French presidential candidate François Fillon has been summoned by magistrates on Wednesday investigating claims that his wife was paid for work she did not do.
Balfour Beatty, HICL and INPP win places on Ofgem offshore transmission shortlists
Ofgem has confirmed the shortlist of bidders competing to own and operate £2bn of offshore transmission links to the Dudgeon, Rampion and Race Bank windfarms off the coasts of Norfolk and Sussex, including Balfour Beatty, HICL and International Public Partnerships Limited.
DX Group's planning permission for West Midlands hub refused
Parcel delivery firm DX Group’s planning permission for a proposed West Midlands hub has been declined.
Redburn double upgrades Next to 'buy'
Retailer Next got a boost on Wednesday as Redburn double-upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'sell', saying the drop in the shares represents a good buying opportunity.
EasyJet flies higher on Cantor upgrade
Budget airline easyJet flew higher on Wednesday as Cantor Fitzgerald upped its stance on the stock to 'buy' from hold' and lifted the price target to 1,200p from 1,150p.
UK mortgage approvals hit 11-month high, consumer credit up £1.4bn in January
UK mortgage approvals for house purchases rose to an 11-month-high in January, according to data released by the Bank of England on Wednesday.
HSBC upgrades South32 to 'buy' on expectations of share buyback
Shares in South 32 were on the front foot on Wednesday after HSBC upgraded the base metal and coal miner to 'buy' from 'hold' and left its price target unchanged at 185p, following suggestions that it will execute a share buyback programme in the first half.
Mitie surges on sale of loss-making social care division
Mitie has sold its loss-making UK social care division - domiciliary care and homecare businesses Enara and Complete Care - to specialist healthcare investor Apposite Capital LLP for £2.
Elementis earnings drop but dividend held as self-help continues
Elementis posted full year results showing a 22. 5% fall in operating profits as revenues dipped and currency movements hit margins, with management focused on self-help measures to steer through the uncertain economic backdrop.
Eurozone manufacturing growth ticks up less than estimated in February
Growth in the eurozone manufacturing sector picked up a little less than initially estimated in February, according to figures released on Wednesday.
UK manufacturing growth slows in February
Growth in the UK manufacturing sector slowed more than expected in February, according to data released on Wednesday.
Europe open: Stocks jump on Trump spending pledges, weaker euro, Chinese data
Stocks on the Continent began the day higher after US president Donald Trump truck pledged higher spending on infrastructure and defence overnight in a speech to Congress.
Investigation into Fox's Sky takeover to be triggered in coming weeks
An investigation into Sky's takeover by 21st Century Fox could begin by the middle of March, according to reports, as Rupert Murdoch’s US company formally notifies regulators of the deal.
IP Group commits £1.5m to Actual Experience placing
Intellectual property-based business developer IP Group noted on Wednesday that its portfolio company Actual Experience raised a total of £17. 5m before expenses, by means of a conditional placing.
AG Barr to cut IRN-BRU sugar content
Soft drinks maker AG Barr confirmed on Wednesday that it plans to reduce the sugar content across its drinks portfolio so that more than 90% of its beverages will contain less than 5g of total sugar per 100ml by this autumn.
James Fisher venture awarded Shanghai Salvage contract
James Fisher and Sons announced on Wednesday that its joint venture company, Wuhu Divex Diving Systems, had been awarded a contract by Shanghai Salvage to supply a mobile, 12-man saturation diving system capable of diving to depths of 300m.
China manufacturing PMIs hold up better than expected in February
China's factories whirred back to life in February, boosted by strong demand for overseas, although some economists said the outlook was weaker.
Evraz's 2016 earnings rise following cost cutting programme
Evraz’s earnings for 2016 rose following a cost-cutting programme, while the Russian steel miner remains “cautiously optimistic” about the future of the commodity market.