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Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine effective against new strain, fresh study shows
The Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is capable of neutralising the strain of the novel coronavirus detected in the UK, a new study confirmed.
US close: Stocks finish firmer as Biden enters White House
Wall Street stocks closed in positive territory on Wednesday, as new president Joe Biden was sworn into office.
Thursday preview: ECB, US manufacturing in focus
The market spotlight on Thursday will be squarely on the European Central Bank as its Governing Council announces its latest policy deliberations.
FTSE 250 movers: Pub owners pace gains as lockdown blues fade
London's second-tier index pushed back towards its most recent highs on Wednesday, likely helped by optimism that lockdown restrictions could perhaps be eased towards the end of the first quarter, if not sooner.
Europe close: Stocks grind higher on optimism ahead of Biden inauguration
European stocks finished higher on Wednesday with investors seemingly in a positive mood as Joe Biden was sworn in as the next US President amid prospects of a large stimulus package for the American economy.
London close: Stocks finish firmer as Biden takes up US presidency
London stocks closed in the green on Wednesday as sterling gained, with investors tuning in to Joe Biden’s inauguration as the new US president, and mulling the latest UK inflation data.
Broker tips: Royal Mail, Travis Perkins, Randall and Quilter
Deutsche Bank upgraded Royal Mail to 'buy' from 'hold' on Wednesday, highlighting a "complete change of outlook", as it hiked the price target to 550. 0p from 320. 0p.
UBS under pressure as probe into CEO still pending
Swiss bank UBS remains under pressure as a Dutch investigation into its chief executive officer, Ralph Hamers, and the role that he may have played in a money laundering scandal at his previous employer was still pending.
WHO chief welcomes EU proposal for pandemic preparedness treaty
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed on Wednesday a proposal from the European Council to negotiate a global treaty on pandemic preparedness.
Wednesday broker round-up
Standard Chartered: Citigroup downgrades to neutral with a target price of 530p.
Director dealings: Next director lowers stake
Next revealed on Wednesday that non-executive director Francis Salway had disposed of 4,520 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed clothing retailer.
EU antitrust probe looks into Google's advertising practices
EU antitrust regulators have requested information from advertisers regarding Google’s practices in the advertising technology space.
Synairgen completes recruitment for at-home Covid-19 drug trial
Respiratory drug discovery and development company Synairgen announced on Wednesday that the recruitment of 120 Covid-19 patients into its phase 2 trial evaluating an inhaled formulation of interferon-beta-1a, ‘SNG001’, conducted in the home setting, had now been completed.
WH Smith retreats over CEO pay after investor revolt
WH Smith has delayed a pay increase for Chief Executive Carl Cowling after almost one-third of shareholder votes opposed the company's remuneration report.
FTSE 100 movers: Pearson boosted by update; Glaxo dented by downgrade
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 6,735. 32 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Tekmar secures 'significant' wind farm cable project
Offshore energy technology and services provider Tekmar Group announced on Wednesday that Tekmar Energy has secured a “significant” contract to supply its products to protect subsea cables on a major operational offshore wind farm project.
US open: Stocks in the green ahead of Biden inauguration
Wall Street stocks opened higher on Wednesday ahead of president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration later in the day.
Deutsche Bank upgrades Royal Mail, cites ‘complete change of outlook’
Deutsche Bank upgraded Royal Mail to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ on Wednesday, highlighting a "complete change of outlook", as it hiked the price target to 550p from 320p.
Berenberg ups bid target Signature Aviation to 'hold'
Berenberg upgraded Signature Aviation shares to 'hold' to reflect the recommended offer from Global Infrastructure and the potential for higher bids for the aviation services company.
Berenberg says 'buy' Diploma for earnings momentum
Berenberg upgraded Diploma to 'buy' and reduced Morgan Advanced Materials and Electrocomponents to 'hold' as the broker homed in on earnings momentum for UK industrial groups.