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US close: Markets finish lower as Trump personnel jitters continue
Wall Street finished lower on Wednesday, following the release of data revealing a third consecutive month of falling retail sales, with some investors also carefully watching the special election to the US House of Representatives in the state of Pennsylvania.
Departing FCA chairman defends regulator's record
The Financial Conduct Authority’s departing chairman has defended the regulator’s record after a gruelling period when MPs published a report into Royal Bank of Scotland’s treatment of customers that the FCA wanted to keep secret.
Bonds: Gilts outperform, but Capital Economics sticks to call for three hikes in Bank Rate
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 81% (-3bp) UK: 1. 44% (-5bp) Germany: 0. 59% (-3bp) France: 0. 84% (-3bp) Spain: 1. 40% (+0bp) Italy: 2. 01% (+2bp) Greece: 4. 17% (+3bp) Portugal: 1. 80% (+0bp) Japan: 0. 05% (-0bp).
Commodities: Gasoline, cocoa futures pace gains
Commodities were trading little changed on Thursday, with energy futures conspicuously higher despite the release of data showing a bumper increase in US crude oil stockpiles.
Thursday preview: US economic data in the spotlight
Investors will be treated to a slew of economic releases in the States on Thursday, including readings on so-called 'high-frequency' indicators such as initial weekly unemployment claims and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's regional manufacturing sector gauge.
Results round-up
A $920m impairment charge on Hikma Pharmaceuticals' West-Ward Columbus business led to the company reporting a hefty $738m full year pre-tax loss on Wednesday.
Europe close: Stocks drift lower despite dovish ECB
Stocks on the Continent finished lower, despite 'dovish' remarks from the head of the European Central Bank on the outlook for monetary policy, weighed down by a dip on Wall Street shortly after the start of trading on Wall Street.
Broker tips: Cairn Energy, Miners
Morgan Stanley reiterated its 'overweight' stance on Cairn Energy following the company's results a day earlier.
Nautilus Marine Services registers loss after fleet of acquisitions
Nautilus Marine Services registered an increase in total loss for 2017 on Wednesday, despite increasing revenues 40% to $250,000 compared to the previous year.
Goldman raises view on miners, upgrades Anglo American, BHP and Antofagasta
Having repaired their balance sheets and with a robust outlook for commodity prices, given strong economic growth in the 'Rest of the World' that was offsetting softness in China, Goldman Sachs upgraded its view on the European Metals & Mining sector from 'neutral' to 'attractive'.
Regal Petroleum shares rise almost 15% after new well spudding
Regal Petroleum’s shares shot up over 14% on Wednesday after the company announced the spudding of its VAS-10 well in Ukraine.
Directors dealings: Greencore non-execs left picking through rubble
Three of Greencore Group's non-executive directors could be seen picking through the rubble of the convenience food manufacturer's shares on Wednesday, a day after a warning from its finance chief sent them crashing lower.
London close: Stocks end lower as US equities retreat; Prudential bucks trend
London stocks reversed earlier gains to close lower on Wednesday as US equities retreated on the back of weak retail sales and growing political uncertainty, although a strong showing from Prudential and heavily-weighted miners kept losses to a minimum.
Sector movers: Life insurers rise, oversupply concerns knock oil engineers
Life insurers led the charge on Wednesday, while oil services companies were the main drag on the London equity markets.
Market buzz: FTSE ends flat, Moscow index falls after diplomats expelled
1656: Having opened higher, the FTSE 100 ended the day very slightly in the red again, falling six points or 0. 085% to 7,132. 69.
US open: Stocks slip on retail sales data, special election polls
Wall Street is moving lower following the release of data revealing a third consecutive month of falling retail sales, with some investors also carefully watching the special election to the US House of Representatives in the state of Pennsylvania.
UK needs £40bn tax raise to balance books - IFS
A tax raise of approximately £40bn is needed each year for the UK government to maintain its current spending rate and reduce the deficit by 2020, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has calculated.
Wednesday broker round-up
The Restaurant Group plc: Berenberg reiterates sell with a target price of 220p.
Prudential announces plan to spin off UK businesses
Prudential announced plans to split off its UK and Europe business as the life insurer posted a rise in annual profit driven by surging sales at its Asian business.
FTSE 100 movers: Pru split impresses, Morrisons results do not
London's blue chip stocks were largely flat by Wednesday afternoon, with earlier gains erased despite strong gains for Prudential and the index's cabal of mining heavyweights.