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Europe close: Italian stocks outperform on gains in banks
Stocks finished well of their lows of the session, helped by a positive start to trading over on Wall Street, with Italian issues outperforming.
US open: Wall Street mixed despite positive data
The main market indices on Wall Street were trading on a mixed note early on Wednesday despite the release of data showing another drop in oil inventories and stronger-than-expected demand for new homes.
US crude oil inventories fall for a second week
Crude oil inventories in the States shrank for a second week in a row alongside a drop in gasoline stockpiles, official data showed.
Existing US home sales outpace forecasts in May
Existing home sales in the States rose past forecasts last month as some buyers managed to overcome the challenging market conditions that were prevailing in many areas.
Hike in Bank Rate might be prudent in second half, BoE's Haldane says
The Bank of England's chef economist signaled he too might soon shift his stance in favour of a hike in Bank Rate.
Results round-up
Housebuilder Berkeley Group lifted annual pre-tax profits 53% and while it warned the business was facing "a number of headwinds and a period of prolonged uncertainty" around its core London housing market, it had £2. 7bn of forward sales booked and remained confident of delivering its profits guidance for the next four years.
Broker tips: Capita, Oxford Instruments, Shell, BP
HSBC upgraded Capita to 'buy' from 'hold', despite the question marks surrounding its complex business model.
Barclays hails Oxford Instruments's increased focus, ups target
Analysts at Barclays revised their target price for Oxford Instruments's shares higher, hailing recent moves on its portfolio of businesses and balance sheet.
Europe midday: Oil prices, French politics in focus
Stocks were coming off their lows of the session heading into the opening bell on Wall Street, with investors continuing to keep a close eye on crude oil futures and a string of resignations in France's centre-right MoDem party, a key ally of President Macron.
Macquarie downgrades BP, prefers Total, Galp
The world's oil majors have made substantial progress in boosting their ability to make profits even in a low oil price environment, but low prices were set to strain their finances again over the short-term, according to Macquarie.
Europe open: Banks, Big Oil lead losses
Losses for Big Oil and banks were dragging European stocks lower at the start of trading.
FTSE 100 movers: Commodity price drop hits miners, Big Oil
Miners were by far the weakest corner of the market on Tuesday amid broad-based declines in bulk metal prices, albeit with no obvious catalyst apparent.