Huge explosion rocks Russian-occupied city in Ukraine in suspected rocket strike

Explosion in occupied Makiivka

A huge explosion has erupted in a Russian-occupied city in eastern Ukraine, prompting reports that a US-supplied HIMARS had been used to strike a Russian ammunition depot.

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Tiny Love Stories: ‘My Entire Body Shook With Passionate Interest’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words.

European Economic News Preview: German Consumer Confidence Data Due

Consumer confidence survey results from Germany and France are due on Wednesday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, the market research group GfK is scheduled to issue Germany’s consumer confidence survey results. The sentiment index is forecast to improve to -23 in July from -24.2 in June.

In the meantime, retail sales and household consumption reports are due. Economists expect retail sales to grow 0.2 percent on month in May, reversing a 1.2 percent fall in April.

Also, household lending data is due from Sweden. Household lending growth is forecast to slow to 1.7 percent in May from 1.9 percent in April.

At 2.45 am ET, France’s statistical office INSEE publishes consumer sentiment survey data.

At 3.00 am ET, Spain’s INE is scheduled to issue retail sales for May. Economists expect sales to grow 0.6 percent annually after rising 5.5 percent in April.

At 4.00 am ET, the European Central Bank is set to release monetary aggregates for May. M3 money supply is forecast to grow 1.5 percent on year following a 1.9 percent rise in April.

At 5.00 am ET, flash consumer and harmonized prices are due from Italy. Consumer price inflation is expected to slow to 6.8 percent in June from 7.6 percent in May.

At 6.00 am ET, industrial turnover data is due from Italy. Economists forecast turnover to remain flat on a monthly basis in April after easing 0.3 percent in March.

Restaurant Review: Raf’s Conjures Swirling Abundance from a Wood-Fired Oven

The workhorse oven of a longtime bakery now crackles under the command of the chefs from the Musket Room, Mary Attea and Camari Mick.

By Pete Wells

PHOTOS: Park Hill Parade, 13th annual 4th of July celebration

People marched in the 13th annual Park Hill Parade celebrating Independence Day along 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street in Denver, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Keller Group Expects Record Trading Performance In H1; Ups Interim Dividend

Keller Group plc (KLR.L) a geotechnical specialist contractor, Wednesday provided a trading update ahead of its interim results for the half year ended June 30.

The company said the trading has been strong in the first half and expects a record performance during the period.

Consequently, Keller also plans to increase interim dividend by 5 percent to 13.9 pence from 13.2 pence of last year.

It expects the full-year underlying operating profit to be better than the previous market expectations.

The company now expects profit to be more evenly weighted between the first and second half of 2023 due to the timing and phasing of certain contracts.

On Tuesday, shares of Keller closed at 704 pence, up 0.57% or 4 pence on the London Stock Exchange.

SIG Reports Flat Like-for-like Revenue In H1

Specialty building products supplier SIG plc (SHI.L) reported that its group revenue for the six months to 30 June 2023 was 1.42 billion pounds, representing flat like-for-like revenue versus prior year. This is due to volume declines offset by input price inflation.

Reported Group revenue was 5% higher in the period, including about 3% from acquisitions, together with about 2% in aggregate from movements on working days and exchange rates.

The company expects weak and uncertain demand conditions throughout the rest of the year, along with a continued, but further moderating, revenue tailwind from input price inflation.

The company said it remains confident in its ability to further improve its market positions, and to continue to improve its profitability when market conditions recover.

The company continues to expect the Group to deliver full year underlying operating profit within the current range of market expectations, but towards the lower end of that range.

Pre-market Movers: ASTS, AREB, RNXT, COYA, BANL…

The following are some of the stocks making big moves in Wednesday’s pre-market trading (as of 07.40 A.M. ET).

In the Green

RenovoRx, Inc. (RNXT) is up over 15% at $2.49.
Coya Therapeutics, Inc. (COYA) is up over 13% at $5.00.
Xponential Fitness, Inc. (XPOF) is up over 12% at $17.61.
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RETA) is up over 10% at $101.99.
AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) is up over 6% at $96.00.
CIRCOR International, Inc. (CIR) is up over 6% at $54.95.
Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK) is up over 5% at $25.30.
LiveWire Group, Inc. (LVWR) is up over 5% at $11.90.

In the Red

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) is down over 26% at $4.70.
American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (AREB) is down over 22% at $4.24.
CBL International Limited (BANL) is down over 13% at $2.72.
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (AXSM) is down over 11% at $73.98.
EdtechX Holdings Acquisition Corp. II (EDTX) is down over 8% at $14.37.
Lordstown Motors Corp. (RIDE) is down over 7% at $2.11.
Coherent Corp. (COHR) is down over 5% at $45.48.
Gerdau S.A. (GGB) is down over 5% at $5.01.