1. Inflation puts kibosh on BoE cut hopes
Headline UK inflation remained at 2.2% but a rise in core prices led analysts and economists to write off the chances of a Bank of England interest rate hike tomorrow.
2. FTSE 100 on the slide
The London benchmark was in the red from the get-go on Wednesday, led lower by financial sector stocks.
3. Legal & General confirms £1.35bn sale of Cala Homes
The blue-chip life insurer has struck a deal to sell its CALA housebuilding subsidiary for what will be £1.2 billion in cash, though analysts said shareholders may be disappointed.
4. Asda co-owner succumbs to chair pressure
The supermarket announced that co-owner Mohsin Issa is stepping down from his executive leadership role following mounting pressure from chairman Stuart Rose.
5. TGI Fridays’ UK operator collapses into administration
Hostmore PLC (LSE:MORE), the UK operator of the TGI Fridays restaurant chain, has collapsed into administration.
And among the small caps:
LBG Media triples earnings as direct deals and US presence grow
British AI start-up GenIP eyes AIM market IPO
SPAC Becket Invest agrees to acquire UAE rare earths investor