Market Report
London midday: Miners lift FTSE 100 but mid-caps slide
London's blue chips climbed higher on the back of gains for resources companies and a fall in the pound on Thursday amid increased Brexit uncertainty, which saw pressure on the more domestically flavoured mid-cap index.
Asia report: Most markets advance as Fed holds rates steady
Most markets in Asia were in positive territory as they closed on Thursday, as investors digested news that the US Federal Reserve was standing pat on interest rates, and likely continuing to do so for the rest of the year.
Strix Group sees decent growth as it maintains global market share
Kettle safety control manufacturer Strix Group reported a year of “solid performance” in its final results on Thursday, including 7. 9% growth in sales volumes and a 2. 7% improvement in revenue to £93. 8m.
Lamprell narrows loss as it seeks to return to growth
Oil rig construction company Lamprell reported a net loss of $70. 7m in its results for the year ended 31 December on Thursday, as a result of lower revenues and a loss from the East Anglia One project.
EnQuest revenue and profits surge after Magnus acquisition
Petroleum exploration and production company EnQuest reported a 48. 2% improvement to its average group production in its final results on Thursday, to 55,447 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Xaar revenue and earnings fall as it advances turnaround strategy
Inkjet printing technology company Xaar reported a 37% decline in revenue in its full year results for the 12 months ended 31 December on Thursday, to £63. 5m.
UK retail sales continue to bounce back
UK retail bounced back more than expected last month, boosted by online non-food shopping and motor fuel sales.
Portmeirion reaches new revenue record for 10th consecutive year
Pottery company Portmeirion Group reported its 10th consecutive year of record group revenue in its final results on Thursday, with the figure increasing 5. 7% year-on-year to £89. 6m.
Chemring says FY results will be more significantly weighted to H2
Chemring backed its full-year expectations on Thursday but warned that revenue, underlying operating profit and cash will be more significantly weighted to the second half due to operational disruption at some of its manufacturing sites.
Diaceutics begins listed company life on AIM
Data analytics and implementation services company Diaceutics confirmed the admission of its entire issued ordinary share capital, which comprises 69,583,077 ordinary shares, to trading on AIM on Thursday morning.
IG's quarterly trading revenues disappoint, but client numbers rise
IG Group's revenues fell 12% in the third quarter compared to the second as the online trading platform continued to adjust to new regulations and lower levels of volatility in financial markets in the last two months.
London open: Stocks edge up as miners rally; Next drops after results
London stocks edged higher in early trade on Thursday, with mining and precious metals companies lending support as investors digested a dovish policy announcement from the Federal Reserve, looked ahead to the latest announcement from the Bank of England and mulled overnight Brexit events.
Revenue and earnings rise comfortably at Energean
Energean Oil & Gas reported a decent rise in its sales revenue in the 2018 financial year on Thursday, with the figure ending the year at $90. 3m, compared to $57. 8m a year earlier.
Ted Baker profits drop after 'difficult' year, results in line
Fashion brand Ted Baker reported a 26. 1% drop in annual profit on Thursday following a "difficult" year in which it was hit by a "forced hugging" scandal that culminated in the resignation of founder and boss Ray Kelvin.
Civitas buys 19 regulated social housing properties for £74m
Civitas Social Housing has completed the purchase of 19 regulated social housing properties, comprising 266 tenancies, for a total consideration of around £73. 5m, it announced on Thursday.
Halma reports decent progress as it integrates acquisitions
Safety, health and environmental technology company Halma updated the market on its trading since 1 October on Thursday, reporting “good progress” in the period.
London pre-open: Stocks seen higher as investors mull dovish Fed, eye BoE
London stocks looked set for a positive open on Thursday following a dovish policy announcement from the Federal Reserve, as investors eye the latest policy announcement from the Bank of England and any further Brexit-related headlines.
Next maintains guidance for year ahead, Halma makes good progress in US and UK
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open three points higher on Thursday, having closed down 0. 45% at 7,291. 01 on Wednesday.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Oil rigs, car industry, StanChart, Brexit
Oil rigs could soon be run on renewable energy and battery power under new plans to help the North Sea play its part in the energy transition. The industry’s regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority, is preparing to lead a new project to forge closer links between the oil producers and wind farm developers operating in UK waters. – Telegraph.
US close: Markets mostly lower as Fed holds steady on interest rates
Wall Street's main market gauges were in a mixed state - albeit mostly lower - at the close on Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve took the prospect of another rate hike off the table for 2019.