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US close: Stocks close higher in penultimate session of 2020
Wall Street stocks closed higher on Wednesday as major indices tried to reclaim record highs in one of the final sessions of the year.
London close: Stocks end lower as millions more enter Tier 4
London stocks reversed earlier small gains to end lower on Wednesday despite news that AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine has been given the green light and MPs’ passing of the Brexit deal, as millions more people in England were set to enter tougher Tier 4 restrictions.
Europe close: UK Covid curb extension sends shares into the red
European shares slid into the red at the close on Wednesday, ending a five-day run of gains as tougher Covid-19 restrictions in the UK hit sentiment, despite a new vaccine approval for AstraZeneca.
UK MPs approve Brexit trade deal with EU
British lawmakers on Wednesday approved a deal governing the UK's trade relationship with the European Union.
US open: Major indices look set to end 2020 at record highs
Wall Street stocks opened higher on Wednesday as major indices looked set to attempt to reclaim some of their record highs in one of the final sessions of the year.
US pending home sales edge lower in November
US pending home sales fell in November, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.
Chicago PMI ticks higher in December
Economic activity in the Chicago area unexpectedly picked up in December, according to data released on Wednesday.
China plans 'rectification' drive to divide Alibaba's empire - report
Beijing is reportedly accelerating plans to bring Jack Ma’s Ant Group more closely under its control as part of a “rectification” drive that would make it difficult for one of China’s richest men to fully rebuild his online empire.
Univision inks fourth supplementary agreement to MTR contract
CCTV group Univision has signed a fourth supplementary agreement to its contract with the MTR Corporation in Hong Kong.
China's Sinopharm seeks Covid vaccine approval at 79% effectiveness
Chinese Covid-19 vaccine developer Sinopharm said it will seek approval from regulators after final stage trials showed a 79% efficacy rate.
US pre-open: Futures in the green as indices attempt to reclaim record highs
Wall Street futures had stocks opening higher ahead of the bell on Wednesday as major indices looked set to attempt to reclaim some of their record highs in one of the final sessions of the year.
Europe midday: Shares mixed as investors eye UK Brexit vote
European shares were mixed at midday on Wednesday as investors eyed the outcome of a UK parliamentary vote on the Brexit trade deal amid new concerns over tougher coronavirus restrictions.
Europe open: Shares in cautious start as AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine approved
European shares rose slightly at the opening on Wednesday, as the UK government approved the AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid-19 vaccine.
London midday: Stocks nudge up as AstraZeneca vaccine gets UK approval
London stocks had nudged just a touch higher by midday on Wednesday, having hit their highest level since March a day earlier on the back of the Brexit trade deal and US stimulus package.
URU Metals H1 losses widen
Exploration and development firm Uru Metals said on Wednesday that first-half losses had widened as a result of higher costs and the settlement of debts.
UK approves Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
The Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with vaccinations set to begin early in the New Year.
Plexus confident 'best days' lie ahead
Oil and gas engineering services business Plexus provided investors with an update at its annual general meeting on Wednesday.
London open: Stocks little changed after Tuesday's rally
London stocks were little changed in early trade on Wednesday after strong gains in the previous session, which saw the FTSE 100 hit its highest level since March as investors cheered the Brexit trade deal and US stimulus package.
MJ Hudson acquires fund performance analytics specialist
Management consulting company MJ Hudson has acquired fund performance analytics specialist Prof Gottschalg UG and its subsidiary PERACS.
UK house prices continue to grow in December
Annual house price growth continued to accelerate in December, reaching a six-year high of 7. 3%, according to Nationwide's house price index, up from 6. 5% in the preceding month.