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Proactive news snapshot: Kavango Resources, Motif Bio, Shanta Gold...
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors newswire
Company
WPP PLC
LON:WPP
WPP is one of the world's largest communications services groups. We are made up of leading companies in: Advertising; Media Investment Management; Information, Insight & Consultancy; Public Relations & Public Affairs; Branding & Identity; Healthcare Communications;Direct, Promotion & Relationship Marketing; Specialist Communications
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Location Sciences hits the spot as it appoints media industry veteran to advise on location verification
Andy Roberts will join the firm after eight years as head of global trading at MindShare, a subsidiary of FTSE 100 media giant WPP
WPP to return £1bn to shareholders from £3.2bn sale of Kantar stake
"This transaction creates value for WPP shareholders and further simplifies our company," said chief executive Mark Read.
WPP in exclusive talks to sell Kantar stake to Bain Capital
WPP has been streamlining the business as part of a turnaround plan under new boss Mark Read
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes firmly higher as trade optimism boosts sentiment
The Footsie closed up over 61 points at 7,559. The FTSE 250 closed up around 24 points higher at 19,659.
WPP sells stake in Chime for £54mln as it seeks to streamline business
WPP's new boss has been trying to simplify the business after a series of profit warnings
WPP sells majority stake in post-production firm The Farm
The deal will see the FTSE 100 advertising giant sell its 75% stake to Los Angeles-based group Picture Shop
Investments and investor services
Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital to buy Australia-based marketing firm Biztech
Martin Sorrell said BizTech was the “perfect partner” to accelerate the business in Australia and beyond.
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FTSE 100 closes near flat as global markets appear uninspired
Footsie closed up nearly a point at 7,368, while mid-cap cousin FTSE 250 shed over 77 points at 19,172
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Tesco’s first quarter set to face tough comparisons
Tesco, DS Smith and PZ Cussons are the standout names in Thursday's diary.
WPP repeats full-year guidance as it carries out strategy under new boss
WPP said plans to sell its majority stake in data analytics firm Kantar is on track
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
Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital delivers strong first quarter profits and revenues
The group’s digital content business, MediaMonks, made up two-thirds of gross profit in the quarter
WPP ‘not getting any worse’, and that’s good enough for Barclays
The ad giant has endured a tough time in recent years, with last year’s departure of boss and founder Martin Sorrell compounding falling ad spend among global businesses
WPP reaffirms 2019 guidance although first-quarter like-for-like sales drop due to "significant" US client losses
The FTSE 100-listed firm saw its reported revenue increase by 0.9% year-on-year to £3.59bn in the first quarter of 2019, but like-for-like revenue fell 1.3%
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes just in red as crude price decline hits resource stocks
The UK blue-chip index finished down nearly six points at 7,428 on Friday
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City set for unusually busy Friday with RBS leading the way
Alongside RBS, AstraZeneca, Just Eat, WPP and Pearson are all due to publish first-quarter trading updates on Friday
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes at near seven month high as no news is deemed good news
The UK blue-chip index finished up around 63 points at 7,523
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Once Easter is over, a plethora of blue-chip big guns are set to report trading updates and results
The Week Ahead will bring updates from the likes of Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, plus drugs giant AstraZeneca, and media groups WPP, Pearson and WPP
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes flat as traders don't know which way to turn
Footsie closed down around 0.19 at 7,436, while mid-cap FTSE 250 was up around 95 points at 19,807
WPP lifted as Deutsche Bank says expectations now “so low” delivery of guidance would be enough for price rise
In a note, the German bank said that if there was “any indication” that operations were less bad than the market was currently expecting, then the positive reaction could be “more substantial”
Private equity bids surge as buyout firms exploit weaker valuations amid tough UK market
Struggles in a number of different sectors present takeover opportunities for private equity firms this year but investments in UK stocks are risky given the uncertainty surrounding Brexit
WPP brings in Microsoft UK boss as it takes the fight to online heavyweights
Rose, who prior to joining Microsoft oversaw the expansion of retail stores at mobile operator Vodafone, would join the board on 1 April
WPP shares jump on better-than-expected outlook after tough year
WPP posted a 30.6% drop in full-year profit on revenue down 1.3% amid tough competition in the advertising sector and weaker business confidence
FTSE 100 closes down on week but higher on Friday as trader optimism returns
Footsie closed the day 32 points up, or 0.45% at 7,106
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City set for surprisingly busy Friday with WPP, Rightmove and William Hill all due up
Fridays are normally quiet affairs in the City, but not this week…
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher but only just as sentiment boosted by trade progress
The UK blue-chip index finished around five points ahead at 7,183
WPP shares jump as new boss unveils fresh strategy to turn around business
"The restructuring of our business will enable increased investment in creativity, technology and talent, enhancing our capabilities in the categories with the greatest potential for future growth,” chief executive Mark Read said
FTSE 100 consolidates gains as Wall Street roars ahead
The jobs and earnings data has lit a fire under the Footsie. Trade talks between the US and China have also aided sentiment
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Brexit shunted from Tuesday agenda at last-minute
Rather than uncertainty surrounding a Brexit deal on Tuesday, the Prime Minister appears to have thrown a new spanner in the works by delaying the vote
Investments and investor services
Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital confirms merger with US ad firm MightyHive
“The peanut has now morphed into a coconut, and is growing and ripening,” Martin Sorrell said of S4 - the company he set up after leaving WPP earlier this year
Investments and investor services
S4 Capital jumps as it confirms discussions to acquire marketing technology firm MightyHive
The potential acquisition follows news last month that S4 had poached a former member of WPP’s media investment management arm GroupM to head up its APAC operations
Investments and investor services
Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital nabs Michel de Rijk from WPP to be boss of its Asia Pacific operations
He joins from WPP's media investment management division GroupM, where he led the expansion of the [m]PLATFORM advanced media technology suite as APAC President from 2016-2018, before taking on the role of Global Chief Growth Officer at Per
Deutsche Bank cuts target price for WPP as advertising agencies continue market malaise
Analysts said the “real problem” for advertising agencies was their over-exposure to activities that they classed as having “declining strategic importance”
Cello Health promotes non-exec director Chris Jones as long-time chairman steps down
Allan Rich had been with the company since it was founded but is stepping down and being replaced by Chris Jones
Liberum chops target price, estimates for WPP after disappointing third-quarter numbers but keeps ‘buy’
Liberum's analysts noted that WPP’s post-update conference call highlighted that the company’s recovery is not likely to come soon with 2019 set to be a difficult year
KAZ Minerals on track to hit upper-end of gold and silver output forecasts
Some of the main news-driven risers and fallers in London on Thursday …
WPP posts sharp drop in third quarter trading, cuts guidance as new boss unveils more disposal plans
The FTSE 100-listed firm saw its underlying net sales less pass-through costs fall by 1.5% in the third quarter, compared with a 0.7% rise in the previous three months
FTSE 100 closes at session peak after strong rebound in tandem with US stocks
At the close, the UK blue chip index was 41.12 points higher at 7,004.10, the session peak, and well above the early low of 6,995.99
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Lloyds, Debenhams, WPP and ECB to dominate day-ahead's financial calendar
The day ahead includes third quarter trading updates from Lloyds and WPP along with full year results from Debenhams and the ECB's policy decision.
WPP's price target cut by Credit Suisse after "a string of account losses"
Credit Suisse reckons the cost of restructuring initiatives is already built into the share price
WPP said to be in advanced talks to buy FT's London HQ for £93mln
The FT is due to vacate the building at One Southwark Bridge next year to return to its previous offices at Braken House near St Paul’s Cathedral
WPP loses lead-creative role at Ford Motor Company
Omnicom's BBDO will take over as Ford's main ad agency
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes firmly lower as trade fears, bond yields and sterling rise creates perfect storm
The Footsie closed down nearly 92 points at 7,418, while the other major European benchmarks were also lower.
Investments and investor services
DFS Furniture set to release full year results, have investors already heard the worst?
DFS and Electrocomponents are set to be among Thursday's highlights.
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Jack’s store roll-out in focus as Tesco reports first half results
The week ahead includes Tesco interims, full-year earnings from DFS Furniture and Ferguson, an Electrocomponents trading update and the US non-farm payrolls report
FTSE 100 closes in red and at four month-low amid trade worries
The pound added 0.03% against the Euro and was up 0.40% against the US dollar..
WPP drops on margin worries after modest rise in first-half revenue; new boss to set out strategy by year-end
The advertising giant said it now expected growth in full-year net sales to come in at a similar level to the first half, ahead of its previous prediction of no growth at all
FTSE 100 closes in red as BoE governor Carney could stay on and WPP plunges
Economists at ING said the August manufacturing data suggests “US business is weathering the protectionist storm for now"
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Stick your bonus up your cars! BCA Marketplace boss slammed over £29mln pay-out
Executive pay is back in the headlines, and this time it is BCA Marketplace boss Avril Palmer-Baunack who could come under fire at a shareholder vote later this week
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WPP reports half-year results in wake of chief executive appointment
The day ahead includes interims from WPP, full year earnings from Redrow and a trading update from DS Smith
WPP appoints Mark Read as CEO with immediate effect, filling void left by Martin Sorrell’s departure
The advertising giant – which regularly faced criticism over Sorrel’s pay package as CEO - said Read will be paid an annual salary of £975,000 and an annual bonus of up to 250% of salary
WPP expected to name current joint chief operating officer Mark Read as CEO to replace exited founder Sorrell
Read has been seen as the leading internal candidate, having stepped up to become WPP’s joint COO – together with Andrew Scott - in April after Sorrell quit the advertising giant he founded after 33 years in charge
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Lloyds Banking and BT Group among the big names on the Investment Association's naughty step
For FTSE 100 companies, there was an increase in shareholder rebellions against directors' pay. For FTSE 250, the beef was more to do with directors that many shareholders did not want being re-elected
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes deep in red as Turkey/US worries escalate
Footsie closed down 1.49%, or around 114 points, at 7,497 on the day
WPP could sell minority stake in Chinese unit to two of the country’s biggest conglomerates, Alibaba and Tencent
Sky News said the two firms, along with China Media Capital Holdings, were in early-stage discussions about buying roughly 20% of WPP China in a deal that would value the business between US$2bn and US$2.5bn
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FTSE 100 starts week by ending lower as geopolitical woes hit sentiment...again
In London, FTSE 100 shed 23 points to 7,655, while FTSE 250 shed over 155 points at 20,770
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes marginally higher but European peers and US stocks lag
Footsie closed up around seven points, or 0.10% at 7,683 on Thursday
Sorrell wins €300mln bidding war with ex-employer WPP for MediaMonks
When Sorrell left back in April, it wasn’t thought he would be competing with WPP, although that now looks to not be the case
WPP warns Martin Sorrell against launching rival bid for Dutch firm MediaMonks
The ad giant has written to its ex-boss’ lawyers, claiming he will likely breach his confidentiality agreements if he pursues a rival £180mln takeover offer for MediaMonks
Martin Sorrell goes head-to-head with WPP in £180mln bidding war for MediaMonks
Sorrell’s unusual contract at WPP means h’s free to compete with the ad giant, but most thought he would avoid stepping on his old company’s toes, especially this early on
Martin Sorrell 'in talks' to buy MediaMonks in first acquisition since leaving WPP as CEO
Hedge-fund manager Crispin Odey said the acquisition talks are continuing
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WPP ticking all the boxes as a "Dividends don't lie" stock
When the stock filter threw up WPP as a possible candidate, John Harrington's initial reaction was to wonder where he had stored his barge pole.
Former WPP boss Sorrell calls for investigation into leak on personal misconduct claims
Martin Sorrell said his style of management had been sometimes “difficult" but denies allegations of personal misconduct
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher as European Central Bank message cheers markets
The FTSE 100 has clawed back all of this morning's losses and some, while the ECB has unveiled plans to end its quantitative easing programme in December
WPP issues upbeat AGM statement as 27% of its investors fail to back pay report over Sorrell options
WPP said reported revenue for the first four months of 2018 were down 3.4% at £4.822bn, but with currency headwinds of 6.1%, constant currency revenue rose by 2.7% to US$6.633bn
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QE or not QE, that will be the question for the ECB Council meeting on Thursday
Aside from the ECB meeting, the day ahead also includes an annual general meeting for Wm Morrison Supermarkets, and updates from PZ Cussons and Majestic Wine
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes flat at 7,703 as attention turns to Fed's interest rate decision
It is the second time Trump has mentioned the issue of high oil prices, having previously mentioned it in April
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Another US rate hike on the cards for Wednesday, with UK inflation data also eyed
Aside from the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting outcome and the May UK consumer price index, ad giant WPP's AGM will also draw attention in the day ahead
WPP AGM could be a feisty affair, with more than a quarter of investors reported to have voted against pay report
The AGM has received much media attention because of the high-profile departure of WPP chief executive Martin Sorrell in April
Berenberg cuts WPP to ‘sell’ as it expects the ad giant’s situation “to get worse before it gets better”
The German broker also cut its price target for the FTSE 100-listed stock to 1,075p from 1,275p, with the shares currently trading at 1,207p, down almost 3.5% today
Investments and investor services
Martin Sorrell comeback: What does it mean for the marketing sector?
The return of the former boss of WPP has certainly raised eyebrows across the market, but Sorrell's move may indicate subtler trends in the sector beyond his old employer
Investments and investor services
Ex-WPP boss Martin Sorrell making stock market comeback weeks after leaving advertising giant
Cash shell Derriston Capital said it has reached agreement on the terms of a transaction to acquire S4 Capital Limited, a new company formed by Sorrell
Investments and investor services
Small caps slide: Andalas, Velocity Composites and Ten Lifestyle
A look at some of the biggest risers and fallers in London on Monday.
Life after Sorrell: WPP up as it posts above-forecast first-quarter net sales, repeats full-year guidance
The FTSE 100-listed firm said its adjusted like-for-like net sales were down 0.1% in the first quarter of 2018, much better than the around 1% decline expected by analysts
WPP CEO Martin Sorrell retires after internal probe into alleged personal misconduct
Martin Sorrell is entitled to receive payouts worth nearly £19mln over the next five years
FTSE 100 closes below 7,200 as pound firms and crude weakens
The FTSE 100 closed below the 7,200 level as sterling continues to strengthen against the dollar
WPP already has list of successors for CEO job if needed
In its last annual report, the media giant said it constantly refines a list of possible external candidates for the job
WPP investigates personal misconduct claim against CEO Martin Sorrell
Martin Sorrell said he rejects the allegations against him "unreservedly".
Shore Capital cuts stance on WPP to 'hold' from 'buy', but sees some reassurance in results
Shore Capital’s analysts said: “We regard these results as reassuring given that they have been achieved against the backdrop of an unsettled macroeconomic and political uncertainty and resultant uncertainty over advertising spend”
WPP shares drop as advertising giant posts worst full-year performance since financial crisis
WPP, which cut its sales outlook three times in 2017, reported a 0.9% fall in full-year like-for-like net sales, against its October forecast of flat growth
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes firmly lower as global share rout continues
Investors didn't want to venture into shares today, or outside much in the UK for that matter
Investments and investor services
Markets nervous ahead of Capita finals, is it ‘the next Carillion’?
Capita will be a focus on Thursday, others include Bovis House, Cobham, and National Express.
Archive
Could price-to-sales be the key to identifying blue-chips on the recovery trail?
Since the "bombed out" virtual portfolio bit the dust, we've lacked a stock filter that identifies recovery stocks; once again drawing on the simple ideas of Michael O'Higgins ("Dogs of the Dow"), John Harrington takes a look at the price-t
Flying Brands lifts off as it confirms advanced talks regarding a North American acquisition
A look at some of the biggest risers and falls on the London market today
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes firmly lower as strong pound weighs
The FTSE 100 index – which is chock full of dollar earners – closed around 108 points lower at 7,170
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in the red as sterling booms
“If he intended it, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has done a first class job of whacking the dollar,” declared Neil Wilson at ETX Capital. .
FTSE 100 closes lower as Carillion collapses on Blue Monday
The FTSE 100 closed lower. With no Wall Street session there were fewer trading catalysts to turn the tide.
FTSE 100 stocks you should have bet your house on in 2017
Look at what you could have won...borrowing Bullseye host Jim Bowen's catchphrase, stock-picker-in-residence John Harrington looks at the winners (and losers) of the blue-chip index
WPP in marketing discussions with Ford Motor Company
The US-based car giant is considering its future internal and external marketing
WPP lowers full-year guidance after third quarter revenue decline as advertisers cut spending
WPP said its focus remains on improving revenues and maintaining its operating margin through strategically targeted acquisitions and cost control
FTSE 100 closes a shade higher as pound strengthens ahead of rate decision
Around 4pm, the UK blue chip index rose 2 points to 7,490
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BP kicks of big oil reporting season as investors adjust to the new normal for crude
Day ahead includes third quarter updates from blue chip oil major BP PLC, advertising giant WPP PLC, and mid cap food delivery firm Just Eat PLC
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Interest rate decisions in the UK and US could spook investors in Halloween week
Week ahead includes interest rate decisions from the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve, as well as updates from HSBC, BT, Next, BP, and Royal Dutch Shell
Mixed earnings read-across for blue chips Ashtead Group and WPP
A look at some of the biggest risers and fallers today in London
FTSE 100 closes firmly in positive territory as sterling slides
The FTSE 100 rose to within a couple of points of 7,500 after US markets opened higher
FTSE 100 closes higher, boosted by weak sterling and Ferguson
The pound's weakness is the source of the Footsie's late strength
Archive
Tesco and Greggs to give a taste of high street conditions; hurricanes could have blown away US jobs
Week ahead to include first half results from supermarkets giant Tesco PLC, an update from high bakery chain Greggs PLC (LON:GRG), and the latest US jobs data
Morgan Stanley sees “no early redemption” for advertising giant WPP, with the third quarter looking tough
The US bank has downgraded its rating for WPP to ‘equal-weight’ from ‘overweight’ and cut its target price for the FTSE 100-listed stock to 1,600p from 1,930p
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes a tad lower as focus turns to Fed
Sterling's strength weighed on FTSE 100 stocks today