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FTSE 250 movers: Spectris surges, Cairn Energy drops
London's FTSE 250 was up by 1. 19% to 19,973. 21 in afternoon trading on Wednesday, with Spectris leading the index higher.
US close: Dow tops 27,000 for the first time since July
Wall Street stocks closed higher on Wednesday as the focus shifted between Apple's product launch a day earlier and trade relations between China and the US.
Thursday preview: ECB, Morrisons in the spotlight
The spotlight on Thursday will be firmly on the European Central Bank's policy announcement.
Europe close: Stocks gain as trade tensions ebb a bit further
European stocks added to their recent gains as China confirmed tariff exemptions on some US goods and investors eyed Thursday's meeting of the European Central Bank where rate-setters were expected to unveil further stimulus measures.
HSBC to put loss-making French retail bank on the auction block
HSBC is preparing to put its loss-making French retail lender on the auction block.
London close: Footsie outperforms on fresh M&A news
London stocks extended their gains on Wednesday, outperforming their peers on the Continent as worries about Sino-US trade relations eased further and with deal news providing an additional boost.
ECB sources say quarterly forecasts are for growth barely above 1.0%
The European Central Bank will guide towards lower growth and a slower return to price stability when rate-setters meet to decide on policy on Thursday.
Broker tips: JD Sports, AstraZeneca
Analysts at Berenberg upped their target price on 'buy' rated JD Sports from 700p to 800p on Wednesday, stating the group was in "a league of its own" while highlighting the retailer's free cash flow and telling clients worrying that they had 'missed the boat' that the stock's valuation was still impressive.
Director dealings: TalkTalk chairman ups stake, shares perk up
Telco giant TalkTalk revealed on Wednesday that chairman Charles Dunstone had acquired 3. 87m ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed firm, on top of the hefty purchases made just the day before.
BofA stays at 'buy' on Apple, says company playing 'long game' on Apple TV
Analysts at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch bumped up their target price for shares of Apple, following the launch of the technology giant's new iPhones the night before.
FTSE 100 movers: LSE rallies on takeover offer; Shell gushes lower
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 9% at 7,335. 53 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, underpinned by deal news, as concerns over Sino-US trade relations receded.
US producer prices edge past forecasts in August
Wholesale prices in the US edged higher last month despite sharp declines in both food and energy inflation, but economists said that the "inflation threat" lay in consumer prices and not at the producer level.
LSE to consider £29.6bn Hong Kong Exchanges offer; analysts sceptical
London Stock Exchange said on Wednesday that it will consider an "unsolicited, preliminary and highly conditional" £29. 6bn takeover offer from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, as analysts expressed doubts that a deal would occur.
US open: Small gains at the bell as Apple leads the charge
Wall Street trading began on a somewhat tentative note on Wednesday as the focus shifted between Apple's product launch a day earlier and trade relations between China and the US.
Sports Direct shareholders approve Ashley's re-election to the board
Sports Direct shareholders voted in favour of founder Mike Ashley's re-election to the board at an annual meeting on Wednesday.
US President chastises 'boneheads' at the Federal Reserve
The US President reiterated its criticism of the country's central bank in the middle of the week, arguing that short-term interest rates should be cut into negative territory.
S4 Capital on course to double business size by 2021
Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital said on Wednesday that it was on course to double in size by 2021 as it reported a jump in first-half revenues and billings.
Amazon faces FTC antitrust probe over its marketplace
The US Federal Trade Commission is ramping up an investigation into Amazon over its online marketplace by interviewing small businesses that sell through the company, reported Bloomberg on Wednesday.
Best of the Best continues to make 'good progress'
Weekly competitions organiser Best of the Best told investors at the group's annual general meeting on Wednesday that it had successfully maintained the positive momentum seen at the start of its trading year.
Former National Audit Office chief to conduct loan charge review
Sir Amyas Morse has been appointed to conduct an independent review into the loan charge which will examine its effectiveness in dealing with disguised remuneration loan schemes used by individuals to avoid paying tax.