The UK energy regulator plans to make it more difficult for new energy suppliers to start trading as it looks to tackle a growing number of failed ventures and poor customer service among smaller players in the sector.

Speciality chemicals maker Johnson Matthey surprised investors on Wednesday with earnings ahead of expectations in the six months to September, driven by strong demand in Europe for exhaust catalysts.

An influential parliamentary committee has asked the Pension Protection Fund for more details about its concerns over a rescue deal for the Johnston Press Group.

PhosAgro, one of Russia’s leading fertiliser producers, posted record free cash flow as a public company in the third quarter amid production and sales growth, higher prices for fertilisers and the rouble depreciation.

A sharp spike in spending and a slowdown in the growth of tax receipts meant UK government borrowing in October was the highest for three years, according to official statistics.

Shares in addiction treatment specialist Indivior sustained a second day of severe losses on Wednesday, slumping 10 per cent in early trade after having lost nearly half their value on Tuesday following the loss of a key court battle.

The price of Italian government debt rallied on Wednesday after news reports that the Italian deputy prime minister and leader of the League was opening the door to compromises with the European Commission on the country’s budget.

The liquid diet is back. Marston’s, the UK brewer and pub operator, reported a fifth year of like-for-like growth on Wednesday thanks to more drinking during the hot summer and football World Cup.

Amber Rudd, the UK work and pensions secretary, has said that parliament will prevent a no-deal Brexit – contradicting prime minister Theresa May.

Earnings at Countryside Properties jumped by 16 per cent during the year to September as completions at the group’s public sector focused division rose strongly.

Moscow has condemned new US sanctions against Russian organisations for allegedly supplying Iranian oil to Syria as “a statement of support for terrorists.”

TalkTalk has created a new company to invest in expanding its full fibre network despite an agreement with financial investor Infracapital falling through.

Babcock half-year results

Babcock, the UK naval defence contractor, finds itself in the eye of a perfect storm. With UK defence minster Gavin Williamson more interested in sniping at French and German allies over EU military plans (and posting photos of the House of Commons on Instagram), the company has no cover against critics of its role as both an outsourcer and an enabler of nuclear weapons — led by able seaman Jeremy Corbyn.

Airbus said on Wednesday it has hired an executive from Germany’s Infineon Technologies as its new finance chief, and also named a new operations head for its commercial aircraft division amid a management shift at the aerospace company.

The UK’s accountancy watchdog said on Wednesday it had begun an investigation into the audits of café chain Patisserie Valerie, which came close to collapse last month after being rocked by the discovery of substantial financial irregularities.

The retail landlord NewRiver Reit, which specialises in convenience stores and pubs, saw the value of its assets drop 3 per cent in the six months to September as high streets began absorbing the impact of a series of retail failures.

FTSE 250 bank Paragon grew its profits by a quarter in its latest financial year, avoiding many of the profit margin pressures that have hit mainstream banks by expanding into new products.

Interpol has elected Kim Jong Yang of South Korea as its next president after a successful late push by western countries to thwart Russia’s candidate.

The chief executive of travel food retailer SSP will step down next year, the group said on Wednesday, as it reported a jump in full-year profits driven by new contract wins and its expanding global presence.

Sage, the UK’s largest listed technology company, has said it will invest more heavily in shifting customers to the cloud while possibly selling older parts of the business under its new chief executive Steve Hare.

Kingfisher said it is to withdraw from peripheral markets such as Russia, Portugal and Spain as it concentrates on fixing problems in its French operation.

Nyrstar, the heavily indebted metals and mining group, has moved to bolster its financial position by securing a $650m funding lifeline from its biggest shareholder, the commodity trader Trafigura. 

ThyssenKrupp said full year net profit in 2019 should rise “significantly” even as the group spends nearly €1bn to split itself in two by 2020.