Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on Oxford Instruments to 2,840p from 3,000p, noting the recent strength in order intake now looks largely priced in.
Morgan Stanley posted a solid third‑quarter beat on Wednesday, driven by a standout performance in its equities trading unit.
Recruiter Robert Walters reported a return to net fee growth in the third quarter on Wednesday as it hailed another strong performance in the UK and said full-year results would be "at least" in line with market expectations.
US consumer prices rose 0. 6% month-on-month in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accelerating from August's 0. 4% gain.
Bank of America reported a 17% decline in third-quarter profit after taking a $1. 2bn charge linked to a major US anti-money laundering settlement, with the regulatory penalty overshadowing an otherwise mixed set of results.
BlackRock reported a rise in third-quarter profit on Wednesday as assets under management grew.
US mortgage applications fell by 2. 7% in the week ended 9 October, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.
Wall Street futures were mixed ahead of the opening bell on Wednesday as as traders awaited September's consumer price report and digested another batch of bank earnings.
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Wednesday, with housebuilders and property companies pacing the advance, as investors eyed a key inflation reading across the pond and more US bank earnings.
European shares shrugged off a weak Wall Street session and mixed Asian markets overnight to post gains on Wednesday driven by a rally in tech stocks.
Jefferies upgraded Pennon to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ on Wednesday but cut the price target to 380p from 500p.
Electronic components manufacturer DiscoverIE said on Wednesday that first‑half trading remained strong, prompting an earnings upgrade, with organic sales up 8% and orders surging 22%.
Automotive retailer Vertu Motors lifted its full-year profit expectations again on Wednesday following a strong first half.
Property development and investment firm Great Portland Estates said on Wednesday that it had secured £19m of lettings in the first half, with deals struck 4. 1% ahead of enterprise rental value.
Big Yellow shares rallied on Wednesday after activist investor Ancora Holdings Group said the self-storage company should explore a sale.
Investment manager Ashmore said on Wednesday that assets under management edged $500m higher to $54. 5bn in the first quarter, with $1. 1bn of net inflows more than offsetting $600m of negative investment performance.
Chemring said on Wednesday that its Roke subsidiary has signed a multi-year strategic partnering agreement with a major US prime contractor worth at least $170m over the first five years.
European shares shrugged off a weak Wall Street session and mixed Asian markets overnight to post gains at the open on Wednesday.
London stocks nudged higher in early trade on Wednesday, as investors eyed a key inflation reading across the pond and braced for more US bank earnings.
Asian markets traded mixed on Wednesday as investors digested Chinese trade and inflation data, monitored rising energy prices and looked ahead to key US inflation figures for clues on the Federal Reserve's next move.
