Market Report
Europe open: Stocks lower as Suez issues profits warning
European shares were lower in early trade on Wednesday as the utilities sector was hit by a profits warning at France's Suez.
WH Smith sales slip over Christmas period as high street struggles
Sales at retailer WH Smith fell over the Christmas period, mostly on the back of a weaker performance from its high street stores.
Purplebricks to launch in New York in second quarter
Online estate agent Purplebricks has announced plans to launch into the New York market in the second quarter of this year.
Fever-Tree fizzes higher on upbeat full-year outlook
Fever-Tree fizzed higher on Wednesday as the posh tonic maker said the outcome for the full-year will be "comfortably ahead" of market expectations on the back of "very strong" growth.
EServGlobal warns profit to fall short of previous guidance
Australian mobile finance technology group eServGlobal (ESG) announced on Wednesday revenue would likely fall short of previously issued guidance due to delays in the signing of certain significant orders.
Countrywide CEO Alison Platt resigns less than a week after profit warning
Countrywide said on Wednesday that chief executive officer Alison Platt has resigned, less than a week after the company's shares tumbled on the back of a profit warning.
London open: Stocks edge lower as pound breaches $1.40; jobs data eyed
London stocks edged lower in early trade on Wednesday as the pound breached the 1. 40 level against the dollar, with investors wary ahead of the release of key jobs data.
McCarthy & Stone 'resilient' amid ground rent uncertainty
Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone reported a continuation of ‘resilient’ trading in an update on Wednesday, as investors gathered in London for the group’s annual general meeting.
JD Wetherspoon dishes out another strong dose of sales and Brexit rhetoric
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon reported another strong quarter of growth and chairman Tim Martin served up another robust dose of rhetoric on the subject of food and drink prices post-Brexit.
Bodycote set to commission new 'mega' hot isostatic pressing unit
Heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services provider Bodycote announced on Wednesday that its hot isostatic pressing (HIP) location in Sint Niklaas, Belgium will take delivery of a new ‘Mega-HIP’ unit, which will be operational by the end of 2018.
Crest Nicholson FY profit edges up, Patrick Bergin promoted to CEO
Housebuilder Crest Nicholson reported a rise in full-year pre-tax profit on Wednesday, with revenue and volumes edging up, as it announced that Patrick Bergin has been promoted to the role of chief executive officer with effect from 22 March.
Commodities: Oil rally stalls on surprise rise in US crude inventories
West Texas Intermediate futures rose by 1. 8% to $64. 88 per barrel on Tuesday, to the highest level since December 2014. Brent crude futures topped at $70. 24 per barrel, for a gain of 1. 6%.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Markets warning, UK defence review, Brexit, Apple
Stock markets are failing to price risks correctly, leading bankers and investors have warned. “Equity markets are at an all-time high. Volatility at an all-time low. That is not a sustainable position,” Jes Staley, chief executive of Barclays, said at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. - The Times.
Record annual silver production for Fresnillo
Mexico-based precious metals mining company Fresnillo reported record annual silver production in its fourth quarter production update on Wednesday, totalling 58. 7 moz including Silverstream.
London pre-open: Stocks to edge down ahead of jobs data
London stocks were set to edge lower at the open on Wednesday as investors eyed key jobs data.
Bonds: UK gilts ‘far more skeptical about Brexit progress’ than the pound
These were the movements in some of the most widely followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Sage's focus on training sees slower start to year
Sage, the accounting software developer, increased sales slightly below target in the first three months of its financial year as it invested "heavily" in sales training to allow sales to accelerate in coming months.