Latest News
US mortgage applications fall 2.7% week-on-week
US mortgage applications fell by 2. 7% week-on-week in the seven days ended 19 April, trimming the 3. 3% increase from halfway through the month to mark the sharpest weekly decline since early February, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America.
More than 3,000 jobs at risk at Casino
Beleaguered French retailer Casino Guichard-Perrachon is to cut up to 3,200 jobs as part of wide-reaching overhaul.
Europe midday: Shares hold gains despite Evotec plunge on outlook
European shares made slight gains on Wednesday as the UK's FTSE 100 posted another intra-day record, but comments from a European Central Bank policy maker on rate cuts also tempered sentiment, while shares in German biotech firm Evotec slumped by a third on a disappointing outlook.
London midday: Earnings and metal prices lift FTSE 100 to another record
UK equities were continuing to reach new heights on Wednesday as markets rose for the sixth consecutive session, helped by rising mining stocks and well-received results from Reckitt Benckiser and Lloyds.
Lloyds Bank holds guidance as Q1 profit falls 28% on margin squeeze
Lloyds Bank held annual guidance despite a 28% fall in first-quarter profits due to lower net interest income and higher operating expenses, as competition for mortgages and savings squeezed margins.
Canaccord Genuity raises target price on Star Energy
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their target price on oil and gas extraction firm Star Energy from 55. 0p to 66. 0p on Wednesday, taking account of new commodity assumptions.
Morgan Advanced Materials lays out growth plans
Morgan Advanced Materials updated the market on its financial goals on Wednesday, as it aimed to surpass organic revenue growth rates through a combination of organic expansion, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and shareholder value creation.
Jet2 summer bookings rise, warns of more competitive pricing
Package holidays provider Jet2 warned on Wednesday that pricing had become more competitive in recent months but said summer bookings had grown year-on-year.
Filtronic shares rocket after inking SpaceX partnership
Filtronic's shares rocketed after announcing that it had entered into a supply agreement with SpaceX.
Nichols Q1 revenues fall as international sales drop
Soft drinks group Nichols has held on to full-year forecasts despite a mixed performance in the first quarter which saw group revenues fall nearly 6%.
Reckitt on track to deliver FY targets as Q1 LFL sales rise
Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser said on Wednesday that it was on track to deliver its full-year revenue and profit targets as it posted a rise in first-quarter like-for-like net sales.
Gear4music trades in line, gross margins and profitability improves
Music instruments retailer Gear4music said on Wednesday that its full-year performance was in line with market expectations, having delivered both gross margin and profitability improvements.
Warpaint hails record full-year profits and sales
Warpaint - the owner of the W7 and Technic brands - hailed record full-year sales and profits on Wednesday following "significant" growth in all its geographic regions.
Asia report: Most markets rise as inflation slows in Australia
Markets across the Asia-Pacific region were in the green on Wednesday, buoyed by a continued rally on Wall Street for the second consecutive day.
Heineken sees volumes jump, maintains cautious tone
Heineken posted a rise in quarterly revenues and volumes on Wednesday, despite a “challenging and uncertain” economic outlook.
Apax Global Alpha to invest €8m in IANS
Investment firm Apax Global Alpha said on Wednesday that it intends to invest roughly €8. 0m in order to acquire research and advisory services business IANS.
Quilter hails rising market sentiment in Q1 as inflows surge
Wealth management firm Quilter saw shares rise on Wednesday after reporting that improving equity markets drove a strong performance in the first quarter.
German business sentiment improves in April - Ifo
German business sentiment improved in April, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the Ifo Institute.
Breedon Q1 revenues drop amid macro uncertainty, wet weather
Construction material group Breedon said on Wednesday that trading had been impacted by wet weather conditions throughout the first three months of the year, leading to a fall in quarterly revenues.
Passenger numbers soar at Heathrow
Heathrow posted an historic surge in passenger numbers on Wednesday, but warned that current government policies were "curtailing" the UK's competitiveness.