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Shell offered a $10 billion deal in what is its first appearance in the debt capital markets since 2013.

Growth in bridging business Bridging lenders appear confident about the months ahead, research from the Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL) has revealed, with the latest sentiment survey revealing overwhelmingly positive results. Members responded unanimously that they feel confident in the sector's outlook, with only 20% reporting that their business had been negatively affected due to election uncertainty. Instead, 73% had recorded business growth in the past six months, while the same amount expected their business to do better in 2015 than in 2014. The remainder (27%) predict that business volumes will stay the same, with no respondents expecting it to reduce. This marks a shift from the survey conducted in November 2014, when 35% of respondents were still sceptical about seeing growth in the market

In TEKCAPITAL plc. This is an independent and third party endorsement as the largest private investor in UK Small Cap. Sector over the past 25 years. This demonstrates the company's business model for substantial capital growth over the next 12-36 months and beyond is effectively endorsed by one of the shrewdest UK investors. His track record in Burford Holdings, Dominos Pizza as a long term shareholder for 12 and 17 years speaks for itself. I understand the capital raising was oversubscribed within a few days. I expect we shall see a re-rating in the company's valuation in the next few months as and when news flow comes along with the fact that the company is fully funded for rapid growth in its chosen market.

The UK's economy will grow more slowly than previously anticipated this year, although the deceleration seen in the pace of the expansion during the first three months of the year will likely prove temporary, a prestigious think-tank said. Overnight, the National Institute for Social and Economic Research (NIESR) lowered its projection for the rate of growth in Britain's gross domestic product (GDP) this year to 2.4% from the 2.9% estimated in February. "Future productivity growth remains the largest single uncertainty facing the UK economy," the think-tank explained. Assuming the government sticks to the fiscal plan as set out in Budget 2015 - although any future government will likely pursue a looser stance - Britain's economy will grow by 2.5% this year and 2.4% next, the NIESR said in a statement. The economists expect Bank Rate will be hiked for the first time in the present monetary cycle come the first quarter of 2016 - as temporary oil price and exchange rate effects dissipate - and will increase by roughly 50 basis points per year thereafter, reaching 3% by 2020. Export performance should overcome short-term weakness and provide support to GDP growth in the medium-term.

Housing group Miller builds a solid profit: Miller Group said that profits soared by 233% last year, fuelled by improved confidence in the housing market and a rise in home completions.

Higher loan-to-value ratios as rates stay low: Property investors’ appetite for debt at higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratio has soared in the last six months thanks to the improving economic outlook and the low interest rate environment.

Greene King hit by Scots drink-drive limit change: Belhaven Owner Greene King suffered tougher trading in the second half of its financial year, despite record sales at Easter and Valentine’s Day

Rat-catcher Rentokil has much to offer: Questor was pretty much reading the company its last rites in 2008, warning that “this could well be the last time we look at Rentokil... Not the company itself, you understand, but the name. After four profits warnings in just eight months, the brand is now so tainted, the new management team led by Andy Brown could be forgiven for ditching it in favour of something new.” What raised eyebrows at the time was the pay deal the three negotiated. Each was awarded 7.5 million shares, with various amounts vesting if the share price hit certain targets and a further 3.75 million shares up for grabs if the share price hit 180p to 280p. When they arrived, the shares were at 85p and the incentive plan had the potential to pay out more than £30 million each. Mr Brown called it a day in October 2013, having six months earlier sold City Link to Jon Moulton’s Better Capital for just £1 and booked a £40 million loss on the deal. Mr Ransom took over and built on the work his predecessor had started. Although pest control makes up 40% of its near-£1.8 billion annual revenues, Renotkil also has two other main business lines. Providing and laundering workwear and protective equipment represents about a quarter of sales, and about the same proportion comes from its hygiene business, which can keep office toilets tidy or even mop up the mess at murder scenes. The shares have enjoyed a good run recently but trading at 16.5 times price-earnings this year, falling to 15.5 next, don’t look overpriced. The yield of around 2% isn’t great but this is more of a growth play. Rentokil at 140p +3.5p. Questor Says “Buy”.

Saudi Oil Minister says no-one can set the oil price: Brent crude has broken $68 per barrel in London, its highest level this year, as exports from Libya were disrupted and Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister said that only “Allah” can know the true price of a barrel of oil

Hang a Hoodie: For Sir John Hood of BG Group, that level of support represents a motion of censure. His remuneration committee approved a £12 million pay package for incoming Chief Executive Helge Lund. Shareholders complained, so BG fixed a smaller sum. Now some are bridling because the sale of the gas giant to Shell means Mr Lund will get an estimated £20 million for bungeeing in and out. The City is thus wagging a finger at Sir John for two things. First, for lacking the telepathy needed to discern its feelings about Mr Lund’s first golden hello. Second, for an unintended consequence of a takeover it likes. And to think Westminster is accused of being divorced from reality.

Shale groups rise to oil price challenge: EOG Resources, the largest shale oil producer in the U.S., on Tuesday raised the prospect of its crude production returning to growth before the end of the year.

Glencore’s oil gushes - but not as much as hoped: Glencore has reported a large increase in oil production from its assets in West Africa, but the results were lower than some analysts had expected.

Oil markets ‘going from one extreme to another’: Oil prices surged to a new high for 2015, heralding a new age of extremes for what was already a volatile market

Rich opt to rent before the election: A surge in the number of wealthy people renting instead of buying a house before the general election has lifted the growth in average annual rent in prime central London to 4.1% per month in the 12 months to April, the fastest pace in three years.

UK construction PMI slid in April In April, the construction PMI in the UK registered a drop to 54.20, lower than market expectations of a fall to 57.40. The construction PMI had registered a level of 57.80 in the previous month

UK BRC shop price index dropped more than expected in April The BRC shop price index fell 1.90% in the UK, on a YoY basis in April, more than market expectations for a fall of 1.70%. In the previous month, the BRC shop price index had registered a drop of 2.10%.

At 0330GMT today, Brent crude oil one month futures contract is trading 1.05% or $0.71 higher at $68.23 per barrel, ahead of the Energy Information Administration weekly oil inventory data, scheduled to be released later today. Yesterday, the contract climbed 1.61% or $1.07, to settle at $67.52 per barrel, after protesters in Libya blocked a pipeline to the export facility, forcing the closure of its Zueitina oil port. Additionally, the American Petroleum Institute reported that US crude oil inventories dropped 1.5 million barrels last week.

Oil topped $68 a barrel after falling to a five-year low near $45 in January. Saudi Arabia raised its selling prices in response to stronger demand and traders are looking beyond the currently well-supplied market to growing consumption and a slowdown in US oil output. (FT) Saudi Arabia has shown little inclination to curb its production, which has risen above 10m barrels a day, as it moves to expand its market share. It also said that it remained committed to infrastructure and development projects but admitted it would need to "rationalise" spending in light of low oil prices. (FT)

Houses too expensive, says lobby group Proportion of private tenants who cannot afford to buy now 69%

UK net lending to individuals rose more than expected in March In March, net lending to individuals climbed £3.10 billion in the UK, compared to an advance of £2.50 billion in the previous month. Market expectation was for net lending to individuals to climb £2.60 billion.