Full List Of Stories
US close: Stocks end little changed as tax bill passes
Stocks on Wall Street ended Wednesday’s session little changed overall as investors paused for breath following recent record highs after the House and the Senate passed a $1. 5trn tax reform bill, sending it to President Trump for his signature.
FTSE 250 movers: Tullow rises on broker upgrade; Drax drops on warning
London's FTSE 250 was 0. 3% higher at 20,396. 40 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as activity began to wind down in the run-up to Christmas.
Telford Homes buys Walthamstow development site for £33.9m
AIM-listed residential property developer Telford Homes has exchanged contacts with U+I and Parkdale Investments for the purchase of a "significant" residential-led development site in Walthamstow for £33. 9m.
FTSE 100 movers: Mondi up on upgrade but NMC Health falls after update
London's FTSE 100 was flat at 7,544. 98 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with volumes getting thinner as the Christmas break nears.
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher as Trump looks set for tax reform victory
US futures pointed to a positive session on Wall Street on Wednesday as President Trump looked set for victory over the tax reform bill.
London midday: Stocks remain flat as IMF downgrades UK growth forecasts on Brexit
London stocks were still hugging the flat line by midday on Wednesday as trading volumes thinned out ahead of the Christmas break, with a downgrade of UK growth forecasts from the International Monetary Fund doing little to lift the mood.
Liberum downgrades Shire, says risk/reward more balanced
Liberum has downgraded Shire to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut the price target to 4,100p from 4,200p, saying the risk/reward is more balanced.
EasyJet flies higher on Panmure upgrade
Shares in budget airline EasyJet flew higher on Wednesday as Panmure Gordon upgraded the stock to 'hold' from 'sell' and lifted the price target to 1,300p from 1,100p after it bought assets from collapsed Air Berlin.
Low & Bonar tanks as CEO is poached by Fenner, warns on profit
Shares in Low & Bonar tumbled on Wednesday as the performance materials specialist announced the resignation of chief executive Brett Simpson with immediate effect and said adjusted pre-tax profit for the year would be hit by a weaker-than-expected final quarter in the coated technical textile business.
Goldman ups Mondi to 'buy' after recent selloff
Goldman Sachs has upgraded paper and packaging group Mondi to 'buy' from 'neutral', keeping the price target at 2,200p as it said the recent selloff offers an attractive entry point.
London open: Stocks and sterling steady as Christmas slowdown kicks in
London stocks were little changed at the open on Wednesday as activity started to wind down ahead of Christmas, although investors will be keeping an eye on developments across the pond where the US tax bill is another step closer to being passed.
Post Office secures £370m of new funding from government
The government has announced £370m of fresh funding for the Post Office.
Bodycote signs outsourcing agreement with Doncasters Group
Bodycote, a provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has entered into a long-term agreement to provide Doncasters Group with its hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment requirements in the UK.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: US tax bill, EU referendum, LSE, Saudi Aramco
Senate Republicans have passed a sweeping overhaul of the US tax code, placing Donald Trump on the brink of scoring his first major legislative victory. The Senate approved the $1. 5 trillion tax bill, which includes permanent tax breaks for corporations and temporary tax cuts for individuals, by a final vote of 51-48. Once enacted, the legislation will represent the most drastic changes to the US tax code since 1986. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen flat as investors wind down for Christmas
London stocks were set for a flat open on Wednesday as the pre-Christmas lull set in, although investors will be keeping an eye on developments across the pond where the US tax bill is another step closer to being passed.