THE BREAK-DOWN: Informa goes all-in on events with £2.24 billion Clarion deal
This is our blow-by-blow guide on the day's major stock market news
Company
Informa PLC
LON:INF
Informa PLC is a provider of specialist information to the academic and scientific, professional and commercial communities globally through publishing, events and performance improvement (PI). The company is organised into three operating divisions: Academic and Scientific, Professional and Commercial. The Academic and Scientific division provides a portfolio of publications, events and data services for academic and commercial users in the scientific, technical and medical areas, and humanities and social sciences areas. The Professional division includes financial data analysis, PI, diagnostics and customized training for corporate and government organizations, and finance, insurance, law and tax based in the United Kingdom and Holland. The Commercial division provides print, electronic, and consultancy services and events to the telecoms and media markets, and the maritime and commodities industries.
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Analyst calls Informa's £2.24bn Clarion price reasonable
A Bloomberg Intelligence analyst has described the price Informa is paying for Clarion as reasonable for a scaled events operator.
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Market movers: John Wood Group falls after taking US$115mln legal hit
A look at some risers and fallers on the market today.
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FTSE 100 closes higher but pound slips as traders await news-rich week
The UK's premier share index finished up around 67 points, or 0.92%, at 7,385
Informa to restore dividend as live events make 'strong return', agrees acquisition
The events and media company said it will pay an ordinary dividend of 3.0p per share
Informa more confident about 2022 as live events return
The FTSE 100 events and information group said it has no commercial entities or operations in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus
Results from Informa, Ferguson and DFS will offer insights into global, US and UK economies
Markets will also be looking ahead to big central bank decisions later in the week
Informa sells Pharma Intelligence business for £1.9bn
"We received significant interest in the Pharma Intelligence business," said Stephen Carter, the CEO of FTSE 100 company Infoma
Informa reaffirms full-year guidance as trading improves and physical events return
The events and business services group expects revenue of around £1.8bn and adjusted operating profit of £375mln for 2021
Citigroup says it's "when not if" you buy Informa shares
Analysts pointed to a "growing body of evidence" that a recovery in events and exhibitions will be "stronger and quicker" than the market expects
Informa beefs up FBX business with Novantas merger
Informa's contribution to the deal is FBX, which has been valued at US$243mln
Informa says North America recovery is key as losses top £1bn
“The extent of any further revenue growth will be dependent on the pace and scale of return of physical events outside of Mainland China,” it said
Informa plans deeper use of digital events even when pandemic abates
The events and business information group revealed full-year sales and profits in line with its earlier guidance
Informa downgraded to hold as Berenberg says expected rebound in events industry now priced in
The broker assumed that the exhibitions group could achieve pre-coronavirus profitability in the events business "by 2023"
Informa 'on track' to be cash-positive in 2021 even if no physical events
The exhibitions organiser reoported “continuing strength” in digital subscriptions, with growth across virtual events and media brands, and re-opening of physical events in parts of Asia
Informa crashes to £740mln loss due to events industry disruption
The board has extended its COVID-19 ‘action plan’, extending the postponement programme to mid-to-late spring 2021, more cost savings and strengthening the balance sheet
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Has Kingfisher nailed its turnaround, are water company dividends flowing, and will Tesla's battery event disappoint?
Other updates and results are expected in the coming week from Informa, SSP, Cineworld, DFS and PZ Cussons
Informa weak as JPMorgan Cazenove downgrades to ‘neutral’ from ‘overnight’ ahead of interim results due on September 21
"We have previously seen Informa as an attractive recovery play and long-term structural growth story. However, from here we have doubts"
Builders and building materials
Informa knocked to neutral, Pearson and Relx preferred as Goldman highlights education as attractive end market
The investment bank highlighted increased education spending in emerging markets and a “rise in mid-career upskilling/reskilling” as key growth trends in the sector
Informa to restart events in China in July but recovery will be gradual
Over 160 events were cancelled or postponed to next year while 300 went digital
Listed companies should 'protect' smaller investors in coronavirus fundraisings - open letter
“UK retail investors are not receiving their entitlements to participate in these often discounted fundraisings”
Informa dumps dividend and launches £1bn fundraising as virus crushes events arm
Over 400 events, representing roughly £460mln of revenue, have had to be rescheduled
Informa postpones or cancels over 120 events due to coronavirus
“We have used our strong customer and supplier relationships to swiftly deploy a material postponement programme, shifting our events calendar to later dates in 2020”
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FTSE 100 closes in red as hopes of a positive finish are dashed
Britain's blue-chip benchmark closed down around five points at 5,960 on Tuesday. Sterling was down 1.36% against the US dollar.
Coronavirus looms over Informa's events horizon; financial pair also in focus
Tuesday's agenda also includes results from Standard Life Aberdeen and M&G
Informa hit by Deutsche downgrade on events postponement concerns
The analysts said they “have found an increasing number of shows being postponed”
Coronavirus cancellations “could have a knock-on effect into 2021” for events sector
Ahead of results from Informa, analysts at Citigroup worry that in contrast to other segments of media, the disruption on events could be “significant” and “have a knock-on effect into 2021”
Informa "well placed" to consolidate global events market, says Shore Capital as it upgrades to 'buy'
The City broker's analysts upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'hold', and set a target price of 775p
Informa confident ahead of key trading months
The events and publishing giant said it expects 2019 revenue to be 3.5% higher than last year, ahead of the two key months of November and December
Revenue and profits soar at events giant Informa following UBM merger
Last summer’s tie-up with UBM created a £10bn events giant, and the businesses seem to have bedded in nicely so far
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in red as mining stocks weigh
FTSE 100 closed in the red on Wednesday as miners weighed after a sell-off in iron ore in China
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ITV investors watching for Love Island effect as new boy enters villa
The Conservative Party leadership contest was decided by a relatively convincing margin of 92,153 votes to 46,656, while Love Island commands consolidated viewing figures of more than 5mln
WPP due some relief as large advertisers step up marketing efforts, says Goldman Sachs
The US bank's analysts ramped up their share price target to 1,150p from 870p for the advertising group as organic growth is expected to improve in the second half of the year
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher despite continued trade worries
The UK's blue-chip benchmark added over 23 points to close at 7,184
Informa exhibits confidence about trading but fails to provide much financial detail
“Informa has performed well through the first four months of the year, with steady trading across our enlarged portfolio of specialist international brands”
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher but lower over the week as PM May calls it a day
The UK benchmark added over 46 points at 7,277, but over the week the index dropped 0.96%
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Sparse news day on the cards as investors focus on long UK bank holiday weekend
The main focus for the Day Ahead will be trading updates from FTSE 100-listed events and business publisher Informa and FTSE 250-listed engineer Spectris
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FTSE 100 ends lower as US stocks retreat after mixed tech earnings
The FTSE 100 index closed 37.62 points, or 0.5% lower at 7,434.13, albeit above the session low of 7,405.99 as US stocks continued to post big falls on Thursday
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Barclays set to kick off Q1 reporting season for UK banks
Aside from Barclays numbers, the Day Ahead will also bring updates from the likes of Taylor Wimpey and RELX, plus the final CMA decision on the planned Sainsbury's/Asda merger
Informa shares climb higher on Morgan Stanley upgrade
Analysts at the US investment banking giant think Informa shares look cheap compared to its peers
Informa confident of another year of underlying growth
Informa boasted of continued progress across all of its operating divisions in 2018
FTSE 100 closes lower after European Central Bank strikes downbeat note
"Brutal cuts from the ECB as GDP growth for 2019 is cut from 1.7% to 1.1%. With this in mind, it seems like any possible interest rate raises are all but completely ruled out until likely 2021," declared Jordan Hiscott, the chief trader at
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Insurers Aviva and Admiral in Thursday’s results spotlight
Results from Aviva, Admiral, Greggs and Premier Oil are all in the diary for Thursday.
Informa shares advance as Kepler Cheuvreux upgrades to 'buy' after solid trading update
The publishing and events organiser last week reported a 3.9% rise in underlying revenue for the first 10 months of the year
Informa is confident of hitting full-year targets
"At Informa, we remain focused on delivering improving growth and returns, whilst effectively combining UBM into the Informa Group to create brands and platforms for future growth and scale," said Stephen Carter, the group chief executive o
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 finishes lower as rate rise fears and trade dampen sentiment
The UK's index of leading shares finished around 35 points lower at 7,105 on the day
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Informa and UK GDP data to cap off busy week in London
A host of data releases should give a much clearer picture of where the UK economy stands with the country on the brink of hopefully inking a Brexit deal
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Trump mid-term test and US rate decision to give week ahead a Trans-Atlantic twist
Aside from the US elections and Fed policy meeting, updates from UK blue-chip retailers J Sainsbury, Wm Morrison Supermarkets and Marks & Spencer should draw the most attention in the coming week
BT Group reportedly in advanced talks to appoint outgoing Worldpay boss to replace Gavin Patterson
Sky News reported that Philip Jansen is believed to be the preferred candidate to replace Patterson, who revealed in June he would stepping-down towards the end of this year
Informa finds market hard to please despite dividend hike
All four of the non-UBM divisions achieved revenue growth with the Academic division's organic growth of 3.5% catching the eye
FTSE 100 closes down as market awaits Trump/Juncker meeting
The UK blue-chip index closed around 50 points lower at 7,658, while FTSE 250 was also down - over 99 points at 20,753
Investments and investor services
ITV, GlaxoSmithKline and Indivior to be among the highlights for Wednesday
Among Wednesday's names are ITV, GlaxoSmithKline, Indivior, and Tullow Oil
FTSE 100 closes in the black as Shire surges; tobacco stocks drift lower
Shire shares ended 5.89% up as the group received and rejected a takeover approach from Japan's Takeda Pharma
Investments and investor services
Unilever, Debenhams and Rentokil Initial in the spotlight as updates loom
Thursday looks a pretty busy day for investors with a number of important updates due.
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High street issues to the fore as Debenhams, JD Sports, and Primark owner AB Foods provide updates
Week Ahead includes trading statements from Primark owner Associated British Foods, Debenhams, and JD Sports, plus Q1 numbers from Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser and Rentokil Initial
UBM safe to hold, says Berenberg, as Informa bid looks certain to be approved
Although Berenberg believes UBM is worth a lot less than what Informa is paying for it, the high probability of the bid being waved through means there is no longer any point in sticking with its 675p price target
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes firmly lower on chilly Wednesday with ITV the big switch-off
The Footsie may have mainly traded sideways throughout the day but there have been some notable movements among blue-chips.
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Advertising key to ITV's latest results broadcast; Taylor Wimpey continues housebuilder updates
Day ahead includes full-year results from blue chips including broadcaster ITV PLC, housebuilder Taylor Wimpey PLC, motor insurer Admiral PLC, and mid cap estate agents Foxton's PLC
Informa confirms offer to buy rival UBM in deal valued at £3.9bn
The deal will create the world’s largest business events company with a stock market value of £9bn
Investments and investor services
Interserve falls on govt scrutiny, but broker says it is not the next Carillion
A look at some of the top risers and fallers in London today.
Big event: Informa and UBM to merge, creating a £9bn B2B information services group
The proposed combination will see Informa offer UBM shareholders 163p in cash and 1.083 Informa shares for each UBM share they hold, valuing UBM at around 972.5p per share
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FTSE 100 closes lower for third day in a row
The fall-out from the Carillion collapse continued, the US market saw more volatility, meanwhile, Bitcoin continued to slump testing US$10,000.
Liberum upgrades Informa, downgrades UBM
Liberum raised its rating on Informa to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ while it downgraded UBM to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’
Banks higher ahead of next week’s stress tests results on FCA Libor support news
A look at some of the biggest risers and fallers today in London
FTSE 100 firmly in red as EU cuts growth forecasts for UK
After a bullish run over the past few months, European and US markets endured a rare off day on Thursday
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AstraZeneca's results: focus will be on the pipeline and recovery options for the MYSTIC trial
Will Astra get into the MYSTIC? The company said not all hope was lost for its lung cancer trial, which flunked in the summer
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M&S and Sainsbury's take centre stage as BoE interest rate hike excitement dies down
The week ahead includes earnings from M&S, Sainsbury's, ABF, Direct Line, Wetherspoon and AstraZeneca while macro-economic announcements will be thin on the ground
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Friday set to be a quiet one in London, US jobs data the only game in town
Informa and Smith & Nephew are the only London-listed companies with any scheduled news due, so all eyes will turn to economic data