Intertek Group Share News (ITRK)

With the US debt ceiling saga apparently close to its end, at least until the world's biggest economy needs to up its borrowing requirement again, equities on this side of the pond are set for a relief rally after Friday's fall. President Barack Obama and US congressional leaders have agreed on a deal to put before Congress that will cut an initial $1trn from federal government deficit expenditure, growing to more than $2trn over 10 years.On the corporate front, the big news - reported over the week-end - is banking giant HSBC's sale of 195 branches in the US for $1bn. Most of the branches are in upstate New York.Hammerson's adjusted net asset value per share stood at 520p at the end of June, up 5.1% from the end of 2010. The property giant's net rental income rose 3.9% on a like-for-like basis in the half-year to £143.9m, while adjusted profit before tax eased to £69.7m from £70.2m.Testing and inspections firm Intertek but still delivered solid revenue growth of 17%, while adjusted profit before tax climbed 14% to £110.6m from £97.3m the year before.Outsourcing behemoth Serco has signed a new hospital services contract, worth A$1.3bn (£850m), in Australia.--jh