Market Report
Berenberg lowers target price on Oxford Instruments
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 reports solid Q3 earnings beat
Morgan Stanley posted a solid third‑quarter beat on Wednesday, driven by a standout performance in its equities trading unit.
Robert Walters returns to net fee growth in Q3
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 CPI rises 0.6pc in September
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.
BlackRock posts jump in third-quarter profit
BlackRock reported a rise in third-quarter profit on Wednesday as assets under management grew.
US mortgage applications fall 2.7pc to 21-month low
US mortgage applications fell by 2. 7% in the week ended 9 October, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.
US pre-open: Futures mixed as traders eye CPI, fresh bank earnings
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 midday: FTSE gains as housebuilders rally; US CPI eyed
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.
Europe midday: ASML-led tech rally helps boost Stoxx
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 upgrades Pennon to ‘buy’
Jefferies upgraded Pennon to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ on Wednesday but cut the price target to 380p from 500p.
Discoverie lifts FY guidance after strong H1 performance
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%.
Vertu Motors lifts FY profit expectations again after strong H1
Automotive retailer Vertu Motors lifted its full-year profit expectations again on Wednesday following a strong first half.
Great Portland Estates secures £19m of lettings
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.
Activist investor Ancora urges Big Yellow to explore a sale
Big Yellow shares rallied on Wednesday after activist investor Ancora Holdings Group said the self-storage company should explore a sale.
Ashmore lifts AuM to $54.5bn as Q1 inflows hit $1.1bn
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 signs strategic partnering agreement with ‘major’ US prime contractor
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.
Europe open: Shares shrug off Wall St to make gains; Eyes on US inflation
European shares shrugged off a weak Wall Street session and mixed Asian markets overnight to post gains at the open on Wednesday.
London open: FTSE nudges up as investors eye US inflation, bank earnings
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.
Softcat hails another year of 'exceptional' growth
Softcat hailed another year of "exceptional" growth on Wednesday as it posted a rise in profit and gross invoiced income, driven by a "very strong", broad-based performance.
Rio Tinto posts stronger Q3 iron‑ore sales, Ashmore assets edge higher in Q1
LONDON PRE-OPEN The FTSE 100 was expected to open 21. 5 points higher ahead of the opening bell on Tuesday, after wrapping up the previous session 0. 06% weaker at 10,650. 33.