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Wednesday newspaper round-up: NI hike, Amazon, Mumsnet
Business groups reacted with dismay to the government’s national insurance hike and surcharge on dividend income to boost health and social care spending from next April, calling it a tax on jobs and a blow to the economic recovery. The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) said the extra financial burden from higher tax charges ignored the damage suffered by thousands of small businesses over the last 18 months. - Guardian.
Fed should wrap up QE by end of Q1 2022, Bullard says
A top official at the Federal Reserve brushed off concerns about a slowdown in hiring and said the central bank remained set to start tapering its debt purchases before year-end.
ECB in a different universe than the Federal Reserve, Trichet says
The European Central Bank may slow its asset purchases when rate-setters in Frankfurt next meet, but the monetary authority is not set to start phasing them out, a former head of the institution said.
Credit Suisse says DS Smith trading at undeserved premium to peers
Credit Suisse bumped up its target price for shares of DS Smith from 470. 0p to 500. 0p, as demand continued to surprise to the upside.
US job openings hit fresh record high in July
The number of job openings in the US hit a fresh record high in July despite slower hiring as Americans increasingly chose to 'quit' their current employment.
Thursday preview: ECB, Computacenter in the spotlight
All eyes on Thursday will be on the European Central Bank as it meets to decide on policy.
Europe close: ECB jitters drag on stocks
European stocks were lower on Wednesday following losses overnight in Asia and the US and nerves ahead of a European Central Bank meeting on Thursday which could see rate-setters slow their emergency bond purchases.
Facebook questions CMA's authority in response to Giphy probe
Facebook has questioned the authority of the UK’s competition watchdog, in a letter published on Wednesday responding to concerns around its completed purchase of animated image sharing platform Giphy.
US open: Stocks under pressure as investors digest Fedspeak, cautious analyst comments
Trading on Wall Street got off to a poor start after a top Federal Reserve official made the case for a prompt withdrawal of the central bank's emergency bond purchases.
US pre-open: Futures dip after Fed's Bullard says tapering to start before year-end
Wall Street futures were pointing to a lower open as investors focused on the prospect of tighter policy from central banks on both sides of the Pond.
US close: Stocks weaker after long Labor Day weekend
Wall Street indices closed in a mixed state on Tuesday, after investors returned from the long Labor Day weekend.
Director dealings: Kingspan director sells big batch of shares near record highs
Kingspan's Russell Shiels exercised options over a large batch of shares and then went on to sell them.
London close: Stocks weaker, retailers prove bright spot
London stocks closed in negative territory on Wednesday, although retailers Dunelm and B&M managed to keep their heads above the waterline through the afternoon after positive updates.
Accesso lifts expectations after strong summer trading
Leisure, entertainment and cultural technology company Accesso updated the market on its recent trading on Wednesday, reporting that through July, August and the Labor Day holiday period in the US, it had built on “excellent” first half performance and continued to capture “high demand” for its technology solutions.
FTSE 250 movers: Inchcape on the slide; Dunelm rises after update
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 8% at 23,906. 26 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Housebuilders fall; Smiths Group rallies
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 7% at 7,099. 10 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Broker tips: 888 Holdings, DS Smith, Marks and Spencer
Analysts at Berenberg reiterated their 'buy' recommendation for shares of 888 Holdings, arguing that prospects for the online gambling group in the US remained undervalued.
Zephyr Energy reports progress at Williston Basin
Rocky Mountain-focussed oil and gas company Zephyr Energy updated the market on its non-operated working interests in the Williston Basin of North Dakota, on Wednesday, as well as the acquisition of two additional non-operated near-term production portfolios in the basin and a joint-venture with Purified Resource Partners related to ongoing non-operated business development efforts.
Property Franchise Group buys 80pc of the Mortgage Genie
The Property Franchise Group announced the acquisition of 80% of the issued share capital of the Mortgage Genie (TMG) on Wednesday, with initial consideration totalling £0. 4m, with an estimated additional payment of £90,000 once the post-completion process has been satisfactorily finalised.
Berenberg says US opportunity in 888 undervalued
Analysts at Berenberg reiterated their 'buy' recommendation for shares of 888 Holdings, arguing that prospects for the online gambling group in the US remained undervalued.