Interim performance seen as reassuringFull-year results to meet forecastsGreen power deal to boost marginsDespite concerns over the sharp slowdown in new housing starts, Speedy Hire (SDY), the UK's leading tool and equipment hire services company posted a resilient first-half trading update and announced a £20 million acquisition.Speedy shares, which have lost nearly a quarter of their value this

On a quiet day for corporate news the FTSE 100 is flat early on, consolidating yesterday's significant gains, with investors' thoughts likely to be dominated through the course of the day by the latest developments in Turkey and trade relations between the US and China.Cruise port operator Global Ports (GPH) gains 4.1% to 510p as it says it expects full-year results to come in at the upper end of

A large jump in the number of people in the US saying they want to go on a cruise over the next year bodes well for UK-quoted cruise ship operator Carnival (CCL).The positive trend should also benefit recently-floated business Global Ports (GPH) which owns 14 cruise ports.Investment bank UBS says 23% of people taking part in its latest leisure survey want to holiday at sea. That compares with 16%