Sterling Falls After Speech From BOE's Bailey

1138 GMT - Sterling extends its losses against the euro and trims gains versus the dollar after remarks from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. Speaking at a cost of living conference in London, Bailey said he would caution against suggesting the BOE is finished raising rates or that it will need to deliver more increases. "Some further increase in Bank Rate may turn out to be appropriate, but nothing is decided." The BOE will monitor carefully the impact of rate rises already delivered on consumer prices, Bailey said. Incoming data will inform upcoming policy decisions, he said. EUR/GBP rises to a one-week high of 0.8866 after Bailey's remarks from 0.8831 beforehand, according to FactSet. GBP/USD falls to 1.2017, from 1.2051 previously. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)


Companies News: 

Reckitt Benckiser Swung to 2022 Profit, Beat Market Views

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC reported on Wednesday a better-than-expected swing to pretax profit in 2022 on the back of lower costs and raised its dividend payout.

---

Persimmon 2022 Profit Fell on Charges; Sees Lower 2023 Completions

Persimmon PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit fell in 2022 on exceptional charges despite higher selling prices, and its current sales rate implies that 2023 completions will fall significantly.

---

Purplebricks Receives Credible Takeover Interest After Launching Review

Purplebricks Group PLC said Wednesday that it has received several credible expressions of acquisition interest after launching a strategic review on Feb. 17, which management intends to pursue.

---

Weir Group 2022 Pretax Profit Rose on Strong Order Activity

Weir Group PLC said Wednesday that 2022 pretax profit rose, beating consensus, on higher revenue due to strong order activity, and that 2023 started with a record order book and positive conditions in mining markets.

---

Rathbones 2022 Pretax Profit Fell on Higher Costs, Raises Dividend

Rathbones Group PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for 2022 fell on the back of higher costs and raised its dividend payout.

---

Aston Martin 2022 Pretax Loss Widened as Pound Weakens Against Dollar

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC said Wednesday that it pretax loss widened for 2022 as it booked a hit from the weakening of the U.K. pound against the U.S. dollar.

---

Artemis Resources to Raise A$2.6 Mln for Exploration Activities

Artemis Resources Ltd. said Wednesday that it will raise 2.6 million Australian dollars ($1.7 million) via a discounted placing, and that it will use proceeds to fund its exploration activities in 2023.

---

International Personal Finance 2022 Pretax Profit Rose, Raises Dividend

International Personal Finance PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for 2022 rose, supported by a positive performance across all three divisions and that it has raised its dividend payout.

---

Nichols Swung to 2022 Pretax Profit on Cost Controls; Proposes Dividend

Nichols PLC on Wednesday reported a return to pretax profit for 2022 despite inflationary pressures which hurt the second half of the year in particular, and said it expects to meet market expectations for 2023.

---

Haydale Graphene 1H Pretax Loss Widened; On Track to Meet Views

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC said Wednesday that its pretax loss widened for the first half of fiscal 2023 after booking higher costs, and that it was on track to meet expectations for the financial year.

---

Ricardo Swung to 1H Pretax Loss on Impairments; to Meet FY 2023 Forecasts

Ricardo PLC on Wednesday reported a swing to pretax loss for the first half of fiscal 2023 after booking a number of impairments, but said it is on track to meet the board's full-year expectations.

---

Glanbia to Buy Back Shares of Up to EUR50 Mln After 2022 Pretax Profit Rose

Glanbia PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit rose in 2022 driven by a robust brand performance, adding that it raised its dividend payout and that it will buy back shares.

---

Glenveagh 2022 Profit Rose on Suburban Strength; Outlook Positive

Glenveagh Properties PLC said Wednesday that its 2022 pretax profit and revenue rose on 50% growth in its suburban division, and said it was well-placed for the future.

---

GetBusy 2022 Pretax Loss Narrowed on Strong US Showing

GetBusy PLC on Wednesday reported a narrowed pretax loss for 2022 thanks to revenue growth, particularly in its U.S. market, and said it has had a strong start to the new year.

---

Mobile Tornado to Raise GBP500,000; Sees 2022 Revenue Fall

Mobile Tornado Group PLC said Wednesday that it plans to raise 500,000 pounds ($601,150) via a discounted subscription and that it expects revenue for 2022 to fall on year.

---

Public Policy Holding Buys MultiState Associates for Initial $22 Mln

Public Policy Holding Co. said Wednesday it has acquired MultiState Associates, Inc. for an initial $22 million consideration, and secured a $17 million facility with Bank of America.

---

Harland & Wolff Backs Revenue Forecasts on GBP900 Mln Contracted Revenue Backlog

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC said Wednesday it backed its revenue forecast for 2023 and 2024 on the strength of its around 900 million pounds ($1.08 billion) backlog of confirmed contracted revenue.

---

Bradda Head Lithium Settles Claim With Arizona Lithium, Agrees Exchange

Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. said Wednesday that it has settled a claim in Arizona with Arizona Lithium Ltd., agreeing a claim exchange instead of litigation or further dispute-resolution proceedings.

---

Co-Operative Bank 2022 Pretax Profit Boosted by Higher Interest Rates

Co-Operative Bank Finance PLC said Wednesday it reported a more than four-fold rise in pretax profit for 2022 despite higher operating expenses, as it benefited from higher interest rates.

---

Record Appoints David Morrison as Chairman Elect, Neil Record to Retire

Record PLC said Wednesday that it has appointed David Morrison as chairman elect with effect from March 1.

---

Inland Homes Shares Fall After Much of Board Quits; Former CEO to Return

Inland Homes PLC shares fell Wednesday after it said that Chairman Simon Bennett and non-executive directors Carol Duncumb and Brian Johnson have resigned with immediate effect, and it intends to re-appoint Founder and former Chief Executive Officer Stephen Wicks.

---

Cordel CEO Resigns to Become Vice President of EMEA, Names Interim Chief Executive

Cordel Group PLC said Wednesday that Chief Executive Officer Nick Smith has resigned from his role to become vice president of the company's Europe and Middle East division, and that Nonexecutive Director John Davis has been appointed interim CEO.

---

SDX Energy Interim CFO Daan Hanssen Resigns

SDX Energy PLC said Wednesday that interim Chief Financial Officer Daan Hanssen has resigned and will be leaving the company at the end of May to pursue other interests.

---

BiVictriX Therapeutics Names Alex Hughes as New CFO

BiVictriX Therapeutics PLC said Wednesday that it has appointed Alex Hughes as chief financial officer, with current CFO Glyn Baker stepping down from his role at the end of March.

---

Active Energy Appoints Steve Schaar as COO

Active Energy Group PLC said Wednesday that it has appointed Steve Schaar as chief operating officer, as part of the group focus on the development of its CoalSwitch production in the U.S.

---

Cambria Africa Shares on AIM Temporarily Suspended Pending Accounts Publication

The U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority said Wednesday that trading of Cambria Africa PLC shares on London's junior AIM market had been temporarily suspended pending the publication of the company's annual audited accounts.

---

Persimmon's 2022 Profits, Sales Rate Bump Miss Market Views -- Earnings Review

Persimmon PLC reported its 2022 results on Wednesday. Here's what you need to know:

---

UK Regulator Accepts Korean Air, Asiana Airlines Merger Undertakings

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said that it has accepted undertakings regarding competition concerns over the buyout of Asiana Airlines Inc. by Korean Air Lines Co., and therefore the merger won't be referred for further review.

---

IAG's Air Europa Deal Could Be Its Best-Ever, But Likely to Be Probed by Regulators -- Analysis

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.'s plan to take full control of Spanish airline Air Europa will boost the group's slot share at Madrid's airport, providing it with a near-monopoly on Spain's domestic routes, and is likely to be scanned closely by regulators.

---

Rotala: Investor Nigel Wray Reduces Stake to 8.84%

Rotala PLC said Wednesday that U.K. entrepreneur and investor Nigel Wray has reduced his stake in the company to 8.84% from 15.57%.

---

Everest Global Shares Temporarily Suspended on FY 2022 Results Delay

Everest Global PLC said Wednesday that its shares have been temporarily suspended until it publishes its fiscal 2022 results, which it expects to do in June.


 
Market Talk: 

St. James's Place Resilience Is Hard to Ignore, Says Berenberg

1147 GMT - St. James's Place 2022 performance was a testament to the resilience of its affluent client base and the inherent stability of its product mix, where regular inflows are incentivized, says Berenberg in a note. "Longer term too, SJP remains exceptionally well placed to benefit from greater pension and investment market participation and greater consumption of financial advice," says analyst Peter Richardson, adding that further growth will be supported by emerging favorable market conditions and easing of economic headwinds, especially during the second half of 2023. The brokerage reiterates its buy rating on the stock and raises its target price to 1,500 pence, adding that the wealth manager's growth prospects remain undervalued. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)

---

Persimmon's Volumes Slipping Isn't a Surprise But Margin Comments Are

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

03-01-23 0711ET