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US close: Dow Jones closes more than 800 points lower as higher bond yields spook investors
US stocks got battered on Wednesday as concerns over bond markets and a struggling technology sector sunk the Dow more than 800 points, led the S&P 500 towards its longest losing streak in two years and caused the Nasdaq to record its biggest drop so far this year.
Europe close: Technology and Basic Resources pace losses amid yield jitters
Stocks on the Continent sustained heavy losses on Wednesday, with Basic Resources and Technology sustaining the brunt of the losses amid concerns around trade, rising government bond yields and Italy.
Thursday preview: US CPI, Jupiter Fund Management in focus
All eyes will be on the latest reading on US consumer prices referencing the month of September.
Barnier: '80-85% of withdrawal deal has been agreed to'
Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said in a speech addressing the European Parliament of Enterprises on Wednesday that May’s proposal to keep the UK in the single market for goods would give it a “huge competitive edge” over the EU.
FTSE 250 movers: Contour falls again while Dixons' shares dialed up
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 38% at 19,474. 60 in afternoon trading on Wednesday.
Snapchat to release original show in move to reverse user decline
Snapchat announced on Wednesday that it would be releasing a dozen original series on its mobile app in order to maintain an edge over competitors Facebook and Instagram and reverse its user decline.
London close: Rising bond yields, trade worries give investors indigestion
London stocks finished sharply lower on Wednesday as investors continued to digest a move higher in government bond yields around the globe against a backdrop of ongoing trade tensions, even as Sterling gained on the back of a stronger-than-expected reading on industrial production at home.
Results round-up
Things went from bad to worse for Patisserie Holdings on Wednesday as the company said it has received a winding up petition for its main trading subsidiary, Stonebeach, for £1. 14m in tax owed to HMRC, having earlier warned of potentially fraudulent accounting irregularities.
Sears to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as early as Friday
Beleaguered department store chain Sears has reportedly hired an advisory firm to assist with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
'Extreme volatility' to hit oil market, says BP CEO
Oil prices face “extreme volatility” amid the continued uncertainty surrounding Iran’s oil industry ahead of fresh US sanctions, according to BP chief executive Bob Dudley.
Sector movers: Damaged packages, telecoms called up
Telecoms stocks were ringing up gains on Wednesday, while packaging companies were dented.
Avacta 'delighted' at license agreement with longtime collaborator
Avacta Group agreed a commercial license with New England Biolabs (NEB) to commercialise a science and research assay project using its Affimer technology on Wednesday.
Director dealings: Smiths Group CEO lowers stake
Smiths Group chief executive Andrew Reynolds Smith sold 47,468 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed engineering business on Wednesday.
Rising yields and dearer oil should not be feared, Barclays says
Do not despair, equity strategists at Barclays Research told clients.
Broker tips: Sage, Dixons Carphone, Hollywood Bowl, Ocado
A day after being downgraded by Barclays, software company Sage was lifted to 'hold' from 'sell' at Deutsche Bank, which highlighted the valuation and potential for private equity interest.
Dixons Carphone could deliver investor bonus, HSBC thinks
Ahead of a strategy update two months away, Dixons Carphone shares do not reflect enough optimism about the potential for new management to improve performance and dividends, said HSBC as it upgraded to 'buy' from 'hold'.
Shore Capital reiterates 'buy' rating on 'well-run' Hollywood Bowl
Analysts at Shore Capital took a fresh look at "exceptionally well-run" ten-pin bowling outfit Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, reiterating their 'buy' recommendation for the shares following the company's post-close update.
Ocado valuation now more reasonable for Barclays
Barclays upgraded Ocado on Wednesday after the online grocery specialist's valuation retreated to a more "reasonable" level.
DUP threatens to vote against Tory budget if Brexit 'red line' crossed
The Democratic Unionist Party said on Wednesday it would withdraw support from the government’s budget plan if Theresa May breaks their “red line” on the Irish border issue.
US open: Stocks trade lower at the open as bond market concerns persist
Wall Street trading kicked off with heavy losses on Wednesday as concerns over bond markets, putting the S&P 500 on track for its longest losing streak since November 2016.