US close: Dow Jones closes higher for fifth day in a row

US stocks turned in another mixed performance on Tuesday after some weak Chinese data overnight was overshadowed by reports that the country had agreed to increase purchases of American agricultural products.

Broker tips: Hiscox, Antofagasta, Petropavlovsk, SSE

Berenberg cut its price target on shares of insurance provider Hiscox from 1,581p to 1,487p on Tuesday as it said the valuation is demanding given the mixed short-term picture, despite attractive longer-term prospects.

Morgan Stanley upgrades SSE to 'overweight'

Morgan Stanley upgraded its view on SSE shares, arguing that the company's divestment of its Retail and Exploration and Production arms would simplify the business, raising the profile of its renewables operations and in turn resulting in a higher valuation multiple.

Wednesday preview: US producer prices in focus

US producer price data for August will be in the spotlight on Wednesday in the run-up to the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting on 17-18 September.

Europe close: Stocks jump on hopes for further ECB stimulus

The main European stock market indices finished the session higher as investors looked out to the European Central Bank's policy meeting on Thursday and the possibility of further stimulus, reversing an early drop on the back of weak Chinese price data.

Huawei drops lawsuit against US after Washington returns seized equipment

Chinese telecommunications equipment company Huawei dropped one of its lawsuits against the US government after Washington returned equipment that had been seized.

London close: Stocks edge up despite mixed employment data

London stocks reversed early losses to finish higher thanks to a strong showing from the banking sector, even as investors digested weak Chinese data and a mixed reading on the UK labour market.

Trump fires national security adviser John Bolton

The US President fired his national security adviser approximately 90 minutes before he had been scheduled to participate in a press conference next to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

IWG mulling sale of Canadian operations, says Bloomberg

Office space services provider IWG is considering the sale of its Canadian operations, according to a source cited by Bloomberg on Tuesday.

Trade deal 'possible' if Washington also makes concessions, SCMP says

One well-placed local observer in Beijing put the odds of the US and China agreeing a trade deal in November at roughly two thirds, but said that Washington needed to lower its demands a bit as some of them were seen as the Communist party would see them as forfeiting sovereignty and humiliating the nation.

FTSE 250 movers: Cairn Energy climbs, IP Group slips

London's FTSE 250 was up by 0. 10% to 19,698. 97 in afternoon trading on Tuesday, with Cairn Energy leading the index higher.

Vestager chosen for another five-year term as top EU anti-trust official

Margrethe Vestager has been chosen to serve another five-year term as the head of the European Union's competition policy and will continue to oversee ongoing probes into various technology gaints.

Wednesday preview:

US open: Stocks open lower following weak Chinese data

US stocks opened lower on Tuesday following the release of weak Chinese data overnight.

Alibaba founder steps down as chairman

Alibaba founder Jack Ma is set to step down as the Chinese e-commerce giant's chairman on Tuesday.

Director dealings: Simplybiz joint CEO ups stake

The Simplybiz Group revealed on Tuesday that joint chief executive Nail Stevens had acquired 25,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed regulatory and business support services firm.

Number of 'quits' in US hits new high in July, JOLTS survey shows

US job market conditions continued to be tight in July, according to the results of a closely-followed survey.

Cannaccord Genuity stays at 'speculative buy' on Petropavlovsk

Cannacord Genuity reiterated its 'speculative buy' recommendation for shares of Petropavlovsk ahead of the miner's Capital Markets Day, telling clients that the company's latest interims showed that its operational and financial recovery was continuing.

Mallinckrodt to sell BioVectra unit for $250m

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals shares surged in pre-market trade on Tuesday after the company said it has agreed to sell its BioVectra unit to private equity firm HIG Capital for around $250m.

FTSE 100 movers: JD Fashion rallies on results; Just Eat shares drop

London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 2% at 7,223. 45 in afternoon trade on Tuesday as investors mulled the latest UK jobs numbers and a drop in China's producer price index.