Market Report
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Unilever, Together Energy, Royal Mail
Unilever has been warned that buying GlaxoSmithKline’s consumer products arm is likely to substantially swell its debt pile and could trigger a “multi-notch downgrade” to its credit rating. Ratings agency Fitch said Unilever would not be able to keep hold of its current A rating with a stable outlook beyond 2024-2025, and would be cut to BBB, if it were to acquire GSK’s consumer products division or another large business. - Guardian.
US close: Major indices sharply lower as sell-off continues
Wall Street stocks closed lower yet again on Wednesday amid elevated bond yields, with the Nasdaq Composite falling into correction territory.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher on the back of latest corporate updates
European shares finished in the green on Wednesday as upbeat corporate updates outweighed worries over interest rate rises.
London close: Stocks finish higher despite 30-year inflation record
London stocks managed a positive finish on Wednesday, lifted by well-received updates from the likes of Pearson and Burberry, as data showed UK inflation surging to its highest level in nearly three decades in December.
Major airlines cancelling flights to US ahead of 5G rollout
Several of the world's largest airlines grounded many of their flights to and from the US ahead of the expected launch of 5G telecommunications services in America on 19 January.
Unilever won't lift £50bn offer for GSK consumer health arm
Unilever will not be increasing its offer for GlaxoSmithKline’s consumer healthcare business.
BoE's Bailey flags risks of energy inflation becoming more embedded
A slower decline in energy prices than was expected up to just a few months ago risked embedding them for longer in overall inflation pressures, the Governor of the Bank of England said.
FTSE 250 movers: WH Smith gains ground after update; Liontrust retreats
London’s FTSE 250 was flat at 22,655. 86 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Broker tips: Rio Tinto, Ryanair, Segro
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on mining giant Rio Tinto from 5,500. 0p to 5,700. 0p on Wednesday after the firm's fourth-quarter production efforts were broadly in line with their estimates.
FTSE 100 movers: Burberry rallies on update; Ashtead falls
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 2% at 7,579. 48 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks in the green as earnings continue to trickle in
Wall Street stocks were in the green early on Wednesday after major indices recorded heavy losses in the previous session amid rising bond yields.
Christie set to beat profit expectations after strong end to year
Christie Group reported an “extremely strong” year-end performance in its business broking, valuation and advisory practice Christie & Co in an update on Wednesday.
US housing starts unexpectedly rise in December
US housing starts unexpectedly rose in December and building permits surged, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Commerce Department.
Entain's BetMGM venture to blast past $1bn net revenue in 2022
Entain updated the market on performance at its BetMGM joint venture with MGM Resorts International on Wednesday, with the operation expecting full-year net revenue to top $1. 3bn in 2022.
SocGen upgrades Unilever to 'buy'
Societe Generale upgraded Unilever on Wednesday to ‘buy’ from ‘sell’ and lifted the price target, citing the company’s new strategy and a projected 12-month total shareholder return of 20. 5%.
PCI-PAL trading ahead of expectations after 'excellent' first half
Cloud payment technology provider PCI-PAL reported an “excellent” first half in a trading update on Wednesday, with all of its key metrics either at or ahead of management expectations.
Appreciate Group performs well in key third quarter
Corporate and consumer retailer redemption programme provider Appreciate Group reported third quarter billings of £96. 1m in a trading update on Wednesday, up 13% on the pre-pandemic period in the third quarter of the 2020 financial year, and “broadly similar” to 2021’s £96. 8m figure.
Morgan Stanley quarterly profits beat expectations
Investment bank Morgan Stanley posted quarterly profits that beat expectations on Wednesday amid a surge in mergers and acquisitions and an increased level of fees from advising on deals.
Berenberg raises target price on Rio Tinto
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on mining giant Rio Tinto from 5,500. 0p to 5,700. 0p on Wednesday after the firm's fourth-quarter production efforts were broadly in line with their estimates.
Bank of America's bottom line gets a boost from net interest income during the fourth quarter
Bank of America beat earnings estimates from analysts on the Street thanks to a big jump in net interest income and a resumption in loan growth.