Market Pulse
Standard Chartered posts jump in Q1 profits
Standard Chartered backed its full-year guidance on Thursday and posted a jump in first-quarter profit as it continued to benefit from higher interest rates.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up amid corporate deluge
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Thursday as investors braced for a barrage of corporate news, including results from Shell and Standard Chartered.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Online gamblers, PwC, London taxi drivers
Online gamblers who lose £500 or more a month are to face extra checks from August, the regulator has confirmed, as part of a large package of measures aimed at protecting the most vulnerable customers. The extra checks come in from 30 August, and the threshold for qualifying will fall to £150 of online betting losses a month from 28 February next year, the Gambling Commission said. – Guardian.
Broker tips: Volution, Videndum
Jefferies reiterated its 'buy' rating and 510. 0p target price on Volution on Wednesday as it said the company's ability to drive margins higher, through both revenue mix and efficiency, is more than offsetting the challenging market backdrop to deliver ongoing earning upgrades.
London close: Stocks fall ahead of US Fed decision
London markets closed lower on Wednesday, as investors digested the latest UK manufacturing data and anticipated an impending policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve.
Director dealings: Vistry CEO makes share purchase
Vistry Group revealed on Wednesday that chief executive Greg Fitzgerald had acquired 23,172 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed housebuilding firm.
FTSE 100 movers: Smith & Nephew jumps; Haleon in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 3% at 8,117. 38 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Altitude delivers 'another strong year' in FY24
Technology and information business Altitude Group said on Wednesday that it has experienced "another strong year of trading" as it delivered "a transformative entrance" into the Collegiate market.
US construction spending falls 0.2% in March
US construction spending fell by 0. 2% month-on-month in March, according to the Census Bureau, following a revised flat reading in February and missing market expectations for a 0. 3% increase.
US open: Stocks mixed ahead of FOMC decision
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Wednesday as market participants awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting and digested more mega-cap earnings.
Barclays to cut jobs in investment banking - reports
Barclays has reportedly kicked off a fresh round of redundancies, cutting "a few hundred roles" at its investment bank as it looks to tackle underperformers and reinvest in new talent.
Flutter shareholders vote in favour of US primary listing
Shareholders in Flutter Entertainment voted on Wednesday in favour of moving the Paddy Power owner’s primary listing to New York from London.
CVS Health shares fall on earnings miss, lowered outlook
Shares in pharmacy giant CVS Health were falling on Wednesday, after its first-quarter results fell short of expectations, with both revenue and adjusted earnings missing the mark.
US private sector employment rises more than expected - ADP
Private sector employment in the US rose more than expected April, according to figures released on Wednesday by the ADP.
CVS Group appoints David Wilton as its new chair
UK veterinary service provider CVS announced the appointment of David Wilton as its new chair on Wednesday.
Johnson Service Group revenue rises in first quarter
Textile service provider Johnson Service Group said in an update on Wednesday that in the first quarter, it recorded revenue of £114m, making for organic growth of 8. 9%.
Seeing Machines secures extension with North American customer
Driver monitoring technology company Seeing Machines announced a significant extension to its generational programme with an existing North American tier-one customer and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) on Wednesday.
US pre-open: Futures trade lower following yesterday's heavy losses
Wall Street futures were in the red ahead of the bell on Wednesday as market participants awaited the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting and digested more mega-cap earnings.
US mortgage applications fall 2.3%
US mortgage applications fell 2. 3% in the week ended 26 April, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, extending the two-month-high decline of 2. 7% seen in the previous week.
Ariana sets out fresh production guidance for Zenit
Mineral explorer and developer Ariana Resources announced its production guidance for 2024 from its stake in the Zenit mining operations on Wednesday.