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Thursday preview: Global PMIs, US data in focus
Investors focus on Thursday will be on a raft of purchasing managers' survey results for manufacturing and services sector activity in the euro area, UK and US.
US close: Stocks lower following FOMC minutes
Wall Street stocks closed lower on Wednesday as investors digested minutes from the FOMC's latest policy meeting and earnings from chipmaker Nvidia.
Rishi Sunak announces 4 July general election
Prime minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that a general election will be held on 4 July, following a day of intense speculation in Westminster.
Europe close: Stocks slip ahead of Nvidia results, Fed minutes
European stocks were weaker on Wednesday as investors mulled the latest UK inflation data and looked ahead to quarterly earnings from US chip giant Nvidia.
FTSE 250 movers: Commodity plays hit by possibility of rates higher for longer
Commodity plays dragged on the second-tier index in the middle of the week amid talk among high-profile market observers of uncertainty around the path for interest rates in the US.
Director dealings: ABF director snaps up shares
Primark owner Associated British Foods revealed on Wednesday that non-executive director Kumsal Bayazit had acquired 2,930. 0p ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed group.
London close: Stocks in the red as inflation falls less than expected
London stocks ended in negative territory on Wednesday, as market participants reacted to the possibility of a summer general election and disappointing inflation data for April.
Broker tips: Weir, Assura
Berenberg re-initiated coverage of Weir Group on Wednesday with a ‘buy’ rating and 2,600p price target as it argued the engineering firm is a "structural winner".
US existing home sales dip in April
Sales of second-hand homes in the US dipped by slightly more than expected last month.
FTSE 100 movers: M&S surges on results; Persimmon takes a hit
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 8% at 8,348. 43 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks flat as investors await Nvidia earnings
Wall Street stocks were little changed early on Wednesday as investors looked ahead to earnings from chipmaker Nvidia after the close.
Anglo American rejects third and final takeover proposal from BHP
Anglo American said on Wednesday that it has rejected a third and final takeover proposal from Australia’s BHP which values the miner at £38. 6bn.
Cinven not planning to make an offer for Alpha Financial
Alpha Financial Markets tumbled on Wednesday as it said private equity firm Cinven is not planning to make an offer for the financial services company.
Niox trading in line with expectations
Asthma-focussed medical device company Niox said in an update on Wednesday that it continued to perform strongly in the year to date, meeting management expectations.
Anglo investor calls for 'meaningful' changes to BHP bid
A leading shareholder in Anglo American said on Wednesday that BHP Group’s blockbuster £34bn takeover offer required "meaningful revision".
Berenberg re-initiates coverage of Weir at ‘buy’
Berenberg re-initiated coverage of Weir Group on Wednesday with a ‘buy’ rating and 2,600p price target as it argued the engineering firm is a "structural winner".
Biogen to buy biotech Human Immunology Biosciences for up to $1.8bn
Biogen said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) for up to $1. 8bn.
Coventry reportedly finalising £780m Co-op Bank takeover
Coventry Building Society is in the final stages of negotiating a £780m takeover of the Co-operative Bank, it emerged on Wednesday, aiming to complete the deal within days to avoid complications under the UK Takeover Code.
ITV makes investment in online estate agent Purplebricks
Broadcaster ITV said on Wednesday that it has made an investment in online estate agent Strike, which trades as Purplebricks.
Idox flags solid first-half revenue growth
Information management software and geospatial data specialist Idox said in an update on Wednesday that it achieved revenue of around £43m in the first six months of the financial year, marking a year-on-year increase of over 20%.