(Alliance News) - European equities traded largely lower on Wednesday, as geopolitical concerns linger, while sterling was steady after a softer-than-expected UK consumer price inflation reading. Read More
(Alliance News) - Marks and Spencer Group PLC on Wednesday reported a sharp fall in annual profit, scarred by disruption from last year's cyber attack, although the decline was not as marked as forecast. Read More
(Alliance News) - The UK government "must focus on how it will reduce the public policy costs which are pushing up food prices", the British Retail Consortium has said after reports the Treasury asked supermarkets to limit food prices in return for the lifting of some regulations. Read More
(Alliance News) - Marks & Spencer says revenue increased in its financial year, but profit declined. Experian upped its payout and says it will launch a buyback, while RS Group also set out a repurchase programme. Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury reports profit growth, as sales of the fantasy novels continue to be robust almost three decades later. Read More
(Alliance News) - UK consumer price inflation was cooler than expected last month, data on Wednesday showed, despite a "large increase in motor fuel prices". Read More
(Alliance News) - London's FTSE 100 is to open in the red on Wednesday, as geopolitical uncertainty continues to loom large, while in the UK eyes will be on a consumer price inflation reading following softer-than-expected jobs data. Read More
(Alliance News) - The UK government has relaxed sanctions on Russian crude oil, allowing for the import of jet fuel and diesel refined in third countries amid surging costs. Read More
(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his first Commons grilling since the resignation of his health secretary and the by-election candidacy of potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham placed further pressure on his premiership. Read More
Pennpetro Energy PLC - London-based developer of energy projects in Ukraine, US and Canada - The High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales dismisses all claims brought by Jesse White against the company, it says. The judge did not order costs in this case to the company, despite all claims against it being dismissed, but suggested that White in future should "..if possible seek legal advice in relation to potential claims against the company." Pennpetro Energy remains "resolute" to defend any claims brought against it and pursue costs and damages to the "fullest extent, including, where appropriate, security for costs". Executive Co-Chair Richard Spinks says: "We have consistently explained to shareholders that we are working in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. This legal proceeding has unnecessarily cost the company a significant amount of money, funds that could have been deployed elsewhere to create value. However, we have always taken a principled approach to resolving legacy issues, and this judgment vindicates our stance. We are pleased to put this matter behind us and continue focusing on moving the business forwards." Read More
Artisanal Spirits Co - Edinburgh, Scotland-based distiller of single-cask and limited-edition whiskies - Confirms that the group has made a solid start to the financial year ending December, with trading in line with expectations and 2026 guidance unchanged. Cask sales growth, together with year on year revenue improvements in Asia and the US, are helping to offset a slower start in Europe, where consumer confidence remains subdued, company says. Scotch Malt Whisky Society recruitment starts the year strongly, with global new membership sales up by just over 20% in the first four months of 2026 on-year, with "particularly strong growth" in China and the US. Retention is holding steady at around 70% and total membership remains just under 40,000 members worldwide, it adds. Trading for SMWS America continues the positive momentum from the fourth quarter, with year-to-date sales up by single digits, and strong recruitment performance (up over 30%), driving single digit membership growth in the early months of 2026. Read More
Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC - London-based merchant bank - Says the group makes a strong start to the year with good growth in both lending and funds under management and administration balances. This is despite the headwinds that have persisted in the economy in 2026, it adds. Loan balances including leased assets at April 30 are GBP2.32 billion versus GBP2.36 billion a year ago, deposits total GBP4.62 billion versus GBP4.26 billion and FUMA are GBP2.80 billion versus GBP2.68 billion. Read More
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News: Read More
EMV Capital PLC - life sciences-focused investor - Reports results for 2025. Assets under management totals GBP112.5 million as at December 31, up from GBP98.5 million one year prior. Group revenue increases 17% to GBP2.9 million from GBP2.5 million the year before, "driven by higher corporate finance fees, increased fundraising activity and higher recurring fund management fees following the full operational integration of Martlet Capital." Core revenue increases 31% to GBP3.2 million from GBP2.4 million. Pretax loss narrows to GBP685,000 from GBP3.7 million. EMV says syndicated fundraising during the period totalled GBP12.0 million across 14 portfolio companies, up from GBP10.6 million across 12 companies. Read More
(Corrects typo regarding euro-dollar comparison.) Read More
(Alliance News) - The FTSE 100 edged higher on Tuesday, but ended well off its earlier heights, after a surprise rise in unemployment and as US bond yields hit their highest mark since 2007. Read More