Three Quick Facts: BT Group, WPP and Lloyds Banking Group

Three things you need to know in the financial markets this morning from investment writer, Tony Cross

BT Group

News of new hires at BT Group has been reported this morning. Philip Jansen is to join on January 1^st as Chief Executive, leaving his current co-chief exec role at Worldpay. Matthew Key, a former CEO of O2, is also set to join the company as a non-executive director.

WPP

Advertising giant WPP has published a third quarter update this morning and takes a modest tone, talking about the challenge of turning round a business of this size. However a quick glance at the numbers shows that one of the biggest challenges appears to be currency headwinds. Full year financial guidance has been revised lower, but again only by a very modest amount, with like for like revenues tipped to be 0.5%-1% down.

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Lloyds Banking Group

Good news from Lloyds Banking Group this morning in their Q3 numbers. Pre tax profits for the period beat expectations by around 5%, helped by supressing costs. Full year guidance remains unchanged and the absence of any ‘shock’ set aside for claims could prove encouraging for shareholders.

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