Market Pulse
FTSE 100 movers: PM's speech hits energy companies, Tesco also weighs
London's blue chip stocks closed in the red on Wednesday, with energy companies reeling after Theresa May confirmed the government's intention to impose a price cap on utility bills.
FTSE 250 movers: Bodycote boosted by Barclays note; 888 hit by share placing
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 1% to 20,022. 39 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Director dealings: McColl's co-founder sells out
James Lancaster, the outgoing non-executive director and former chief executive of McColl's Retail Group announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from the board with immediate effect.
Ceres narrows losses in 'most successful' year to date
UK-based fuel cell technology and engineering company Ceres Power said on Wednesday that the financial year ended 30 June had been its "most successful" to date, beating financial expectations on increased revenue and narrowed losses.
OneSavings shares wilt as JC Flowers sells 8% stake
OneSavings Bank was under pressure on Wednesday after funds managed by private investment firm JC Flowers sold 20m shares in the challenger bank, equivalent to an 8% stake.
IAG traffic shows BA bounce-back
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) grew passenger traffic 3. 1% in September thanks to a strong performance from Iberia that made up for a weak month for British Airways.
Thursday preview: ECB minutes, Fedspeak, DFS results
Thursday will have quite a focus on central banks, with minutes from the European Central Bank and several speeches from the Federal Reserve and one each from the ECB and Bank of England.
Mobile Tornado signs agreement with Israel's HOT Mobile
Carrier-grade push-to-talk solutions provider Mobile Tornado announced on Wednesday that it has recently signed an agreement with HOT Mobile, the fastest-growing cellular company in Israel, under which it will provide its ‘advanced push-to-talk over cellular’ solutions to HOT Mobile customers in Israel.
Mylan surges in pre-market trading after MS drug gets FDA approval
US-based generic and speciality pharmaceuticals company Mylan announced on Tuesday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved two doses of its generic equivalent to Teva's drug Copaxone, which generated $1. 02bn worth of sales in the second quarter of 2017, used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Velocity Composites secures long-term agreement with existing customer
Advanced composite material kit supplier Velocity Composites announced on Wednesday that it has secured a long term agreement with an unnamed existing UK customer in the composites sector.
US services growth remains robust, though future expectations ease
US services sector activity strengthened further in September, a closely followed survey indicated on Wednesday, with a slight easing in the rate of growth that was expected due to disruption caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Europe midday: Spanish shares under pressure ahead of speech from Catalan president
Stocks on the other side of the Channel are trading lower for the most part, with the heaviest selling to be seen among Spanish issues ahead of a speech by Catalan president Carles Puigdemont scheduled for later in the day.
Gooch & Housego finishes year in line
Specialist optical component manufacturer Gooch & Housego announced on Wednesday that trading for the year to 30 September was in line with its previous guidance.
US private sector adds fewer jobs in September but beats views
Private sector employment in the US rose more than expected in September, according to data released by ADP on Wednesday.
Evgen Pharma granted first European patent for SFX-01
Clinical-stage drug development company Evgen Pharma announced the grant of the first European patent for SFX-01, its lead product, on Wednesday.
ImmuPharma completes sharing agreement with Lanstead Capital
Specialist drug discovery and development company ImmuPharma announced the completion of the sharing agreement entered into with Lanstead Capital in February 2016 on Wednesday.
Multiple acquisitions leads Target Healthcare REIT to increased profits
Property investment firm Target Healthcare Real Estate Investment Trust announced on Wednesday that its "patient and disciplined" placing of £79. 9m of shareholder capital led to eight transactions throughout the financial year ended 30 June, with a further two investments being completed in the first quarter of 2018.
Circle Property pleased with progress at half-year mark
Specialist UK regional office investment, development and management company Circle Property updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, ahead of its results for the six months to 30 September, which would be announced in December.
Theresa May pledges £2bn extra funding for council housing
Theresa May revealed new plans to pump £2bn into affordable housing in her speech at the Conservative party conference on Wednesday, also confirming that parliament would debate legislation for an energy price cap as soon as next week.
Glencore to bump up stake in Peruvian zinc miner Volcan
Glencore has agreed a deal to bump up its holding in Peruvian zinc miner Volcan.