Market Report
Microsaic reaches commercial contract with British technology centre
Mass spectrometry instruments developer Microsaic Systems has signed a commercial contract with UK-based technology and innovation centre, the Centre for Process Innovation.
Gulfsands Petroleum finalises funding extension, moves to de-list shares from AIM
Oil and gas company Gulfsands Petroleum has finalised a £4m extension to its existing secured term financing facility from its major shareholders at the same time that it moved to have its shares de-listed from AIM, a decision supported by all three of its major shareholders.
Europe midday: Stocks little changed ahead of Fed, Italian politics in the spotlight
Stocks are little changed ahead of the US central bank's policy decision, with some traders rather wary of the possibility of further declines in shares given the recent volatility in global capital markets.
London midday: Stocks fall further as sterling gains on accelerating wage growth
London stocks had extended losses by midday on Wednesday as the pound gained ground after UK wage growth was shown to have accelerated more than expected at the start of the year, while a slew of updates from retailers meant the high street was very much in focus.
Premier Technical Services trading well after acquisition spree
Niche specialist services provider Premier Technical Services Group announced its final results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, with group revenue up 35% to £52. 9m.
Factory orders weaken but stay above trend, CBI says
Factory order books weakened in March but manufacturers continued to benefit from sterling’s decline and global economic growth, a CBI survey showed on Wednesday.
Accesso beats own expectations thanks to strategic acquisitions
AIM-quoted technology solutions provider Accesso Technology has seen a strong start to 2018, coming off the back a year that saw revenues and EBITDA improve thanks to new business wins and acquisitions, renewed partnerships and further geographic expansion.
US pre-open: Stocks seen flat to lower as investors eye Fed; Facebook weak again
US futures pointed to a flat to slightly lower open on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors awaited the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Government borrowing set to undershoot OBR forecast
Government borrowing is on course to undershoot the official forecast for the full year, official figures suggest.
UK wage growth and employment improve, lifting BoE hike chances
UK wage growth and employment levels are picking up more than expected, though there may be enough holes in the numbers for the Bank of England to "look through" the data and avoid raising interest rates yet.
Alpha FX Group profits surge in 2017
Foreign exchange service provider Alpha FX Group announced its audited full year results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, with revenue up 60% to £13. 5m.
IGas Energy swings to profit in 2017
Onshore hydrocarbon producer IGas Energy announced its full year results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, with revenues rising to £35. 8m from £30. 5m.
Kingfisher wings clipped by softer fourth quarter, uncertain outlook
Kingfisher reported an 8% fall in annual profits on flat sales as chief executive Véronique Laury completed a second year of her five-year overhaul of the B&Q and Screwfix owner but remained very cautious about 2018.
Future buys stable of five specialist magazines from Haymarket Media
Specialist media platform provider Future announced the proposed acquisition of five specialist consumer titles from Haymarket Media Group on Wednesday, including What Hi-Fi?, Stuff, FourFourTwo, Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome.
Science in Sport losses widen despite significant revenue increase
Sports nutrition company Science in Sport saw losses widen despite a revenue increase of more than a quarter in its most recent trading year, as investment in the brand helped increase record levels of awareness and take-up.
INPP defends private sector role in infrastructure
International Public Partnerships (INPP) has defended the role of private companies in public projects after the collapse of Carillion raised questions about such contracts.
Vectura revenue takes hit as firm focuses on R&D
Inhaled product formulation, device design and development company Vectura Group announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, with full year reported revenue of £148m, in line with board expectations.
ScS interim revenue, earnings rise but recent trading hit by bad weather
Furniture and flooring retailer ScS reported a jump in interim revenue and earnings on Wednesday but warned that recent trading has been hit by adverse weather.
Moss Bros cuts dividend as stock issues add to high street caution
Men's suits retailer Moss Bros is cutting its dividends for at least this after sales were hit by the ongoing UK high street gloom and short-term stock delivery issues.
Petrofac wins $200m sulphur recovery project at Visakhapatnam
Petrofac has been awarded a contract by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation for its sulphur recovery unit block package for the Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project (VRMP), at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, it announced on Wednesday.