Latest News
Tory rebels renew push to topple May
Dissident Tory MPs were once again trying to garner support to unseat Prime Minister Theresa May as pressure intensified on her to provide a departure timetable.
Post-Brexit customs union would leave Britain 3% poorer, says NIESR
UK GDP would be 3% lower if the UK retained a customs union with the EU after Brexit than if it had remained in the bloc, according to a report on Thursday.
US close: Dow closes just two points higher, S&P 500 and Nasdaq losing streak continues
Although they tried to avoid it, opening in the green across the board, US stocks closed mostly lower on Wednesday, extending the S&P 500 and Nasdaq's losing streak to a third straight session on the back of escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
FX round-up: Political uncertainty takes its toll on Sterling, UK data back in focus
Sterling gave back ground on Wednesday amid a significant amount of 'market chatter', ahead of the 23 May elections to the European Parliament, regarding pressure on the Prime Minister to quit.
Commodities: Prices rangebound ahead of US-China trade talks
Overall, commodity prices were rangebound on Wednesday, with traders opting to stay put as they waited on the result of the next round of US-China trade talks.
JD Wetherspoon sticks to guidance despite quicker third quarter sales
JD Wetherspoon continues to see full-year trading in line with expectations, despite continued strong growth in sales.
Broker tips: Sirius Minerals, The Restaurant Group, Ocado, IQE, Sainsbury's
Berenberg lowered its target for Sirius Minerals' share price from 40p to 35p after incorporating the structure of the potash miner's long-awaited stage two financing for its Woodsmith polyhalite mine into its valuation model.
Europe close: Shares reverse losses on glimmer of hope for US-China trade
Stocks on the Continent shook off early losses, finishing higher after the White House said it had received "an indication" from China that it wants to reach a trade deal.
London close: Stocks edge higher on US-China trade talk hopes
London stocks managed to eke out a small bounce on Wednesday, even as investors sifted through disappointing updates from the likes of ITV, Imperial Brands and JD Wetherspoon, after the White House said it had received "an indication" from China that it wants to reach a trade deal.
Small cap round-up
Vertu Motors said on Wednesday that its chairman was stepping down as it reported a drop in full-year pre-tax profit.
Smartspace Software loss widens as costs rack up
Smartspace Software on Wednesday reported a deepened annual loss after rising administrative costs outweighed a slight increase in revenue after a "transformational" year for the business.
Thursday preview: China CPI, BT Group
Markets' focus on Thursday will continue to be very much on all things China as the country's National Bureau of Statistics releases a report on consumer prices covering the month of April.
FTSE 250 movers: Metro Bank stumbles, Sirius Minerals soars
London's FTSE 250 index was edged 0. 04% lower to 19,481. 51 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Metro Bank coming in as the top faller.
Director dealings: AstraZeneca CFO ups stake
AstraZeneca chief financial officer Marc Dunoyer purchased 8,500 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed pharmaceuticals outfit on Tuesday.
Stagecoach takes legal action against DfT over rail franchises
Stagecoach Group confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stagecoach East Midlands Trains, has commenced legal action against the Department for Transport.
CBI calls for business rates review to halt 'regional unfairness'
Business lobby group the CBI has warned that the current business rates system is “entrenching regional unfairness” and have called for a review.
Facebook picks London as base for Whatsapp payments push
Facebook has picked London to be the base for its push into payments on its Whatsapp messaging service due to its standing as Europe’s fintech talent capital.
Alexander Mining set to benefit from Deep-South purchase of Turkey project
Alexander Mining was upbeat on Wednesday, following an announcement from Toronto-traded Deep-South Resources has closed the acquisition of 75% of the Kapili Tepe copper, nickel, cobalt and gold project in Turkey.
MaxCyte begins dosing second cohort in MCY-M11 clinical trial
Clinical-stage, cell-based therapies and life sciences company MaxCyte has initiated dosing for the second cohort of patients in its US phase 1 clinical trial with MCY-M11 - the lead, wholly-owned, non-viral mRNA-based cell therapy candidate from its CARMA platform - it announced on Wednesday.
Berenberg lowers target on Sirius Minerals, but believes financing package will succeed
Berenberg lowered its target for Sirius Minerals's share price from 40p to 35p after incorporating the structure of the potash miner's long-awaited stage two financing for its Woodsmith polyhalite mine into its valuation model.