Market Report
Investec says Rio Tinto is preferred pick among diversified miners
Analysts at Investec reiterated their "preference" for shares of Rio Tinto among the diversified majors, despite the miner's "mixed" third quarter results.
London close: Stocks end higher as pound slips on August wage data
London stocks had pushed higher by the close on Wednesday, with the pound slipping back against the dollar following a brief pop higher, as investors digested the latest data on UK wages and unemployment.
Europe close: Stocks end higher, focus on Fed and Spain
Stocks finished higher, buoyed by weakness in the single currency during the first part of the session and the continuing grind higher by the main market indices on Wall Street.
FTSE 250 movers: Softcat roars after bumper dividend, Spire gleams
The FTSE 250 was up 0. 72% in afternoon trading on Wednesday as investors digested figures emerging on the labour market.
Credit Suisse sees 'buying opportunity' for Merlin Entertainments
After Legoland operator Merlin Entertainments's profit warning sent its shares tumbling, Credit Suisse saw this new lower entry point as an opportunity to upgrade the shares from 'neutral' to 'outperform'.
Director dealings: Sniper Investments snaps up another 300,000 shares in MPO
Sniper Investments acquired 300,000 ordinary shares of Asian firm Macau Property Opportunities Fund (MPO) on 17 October at price of 170. 25p each.
Thursday preview: EU 27 summit, UK retail sales, Unilever update
On Thursday the European Union's main Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, will update EU 27 leaders on the current state of negotiations, while other financial diary items include UK retail data and results from Unilever.
Artilium opens new office in Germany
Telecommunications software and solutions provider Artilium announced the opening of a new office in Germany on Wednesday.
New US clients boost Eckoh in first half
Secure payment products and customer contact solutions provider Eckoh updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, for the six months to 30 September.
FTSE 100 movers: IAG flies higher on Credit Suisse note; Reckitt retreats after results
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% to 7,548. 68 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors digested the latest UK unemployment and wages data.
US open: IBM soars, pulls Dow Industrials past 23,000
Gains for Big Blue on the back of its latest quarterly numbers have pushed the Dow Industrials clear of the 23,000 point mark with investors very much focused on the steady stream of corporate results coming out.
Ncondezi Energy raises £0.75m in oversubscribed placing
Ncondezi Energy announced on Wednesday that it has conditionally raised a total of £0. 75m before expenses through an oversubscribed placing of 15 million ordinary shares, at a price of 5p per ordinary share.
Altus Strategies granted Daro exploration licence in Ethiopia
Africa-focussed exploration project generator Altus Strategies announced on Wednesday that it has been granted the Daro exploration licence targeting potential Kuroko-style Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide copper and gold deposits in the Tigray Regional State of northern Ethiopia.
Gama Aviation takes 100pc of Gama MENA in $5m deal
Gama Aviation announced the acquisition of the 51% interest in Gama MENA, currently owned by Jet Set Equity Partners, for a cash consideration of $5. 1m on Wednesday, following which it will own 100% of Gama MENA.
Sprue Aegis launches 'Check the Date' smoke alarm safety campaign
Home safety products developer and supplier Sprue Aegis announced the launch of its national ‘Check the Date’ campaign on Wednesday, to raise awareness of the recommendation by the UK Fire and Rescue services to replace all smoke alarms after ten years.
Shell African licensee Vivo Energy mulls IPO
One of Royal Dutch Shell's major licensees in Africa is mulling a public listing that could value the firm at over $3bn (£2. 27bn).
Oncimmune signs distribution agreement with Poland's SmartGene
Early cancer detection technology company Oncimmune Holdings announced on Wednesday that it has signed an exclusive agreement for distribution of its ‘EarlyCDT-Lung’ test in Poland with SmartGene, a Polish in vitro diagnostic (IVD) distribution company with almost 20 years of experience in laboratory and molecular diagnostics and life sciences.
Hilton Food raises £55.9m to part-fund proposed Seachill acquisition
Meat packing business Hilton Food has placed a total of 7. 35m shares at 760p each, raising proceeds of £55. 9m to part-fund the proposed acquisition of chilled fish processor Seachill.
Sula considers options for Sierra Leone gold project after encouraging sampling
After finding "very encouraging" gold samples from test drilling at its Ferensola project in Sierra Leone, explorer Sula will soon look to engage with potential joint venture or farm-out partners.
Purplebricks insists it's committed to transparency as ASA slams misleading adverts
Estate agency Purplebricks has received a slap on the wrist from the Advertising Standards Authority for potentially misleading customers over its fees.