Currencies
House of Lords rejects Brexit bill
The House of Lords voted down the government's Brexit bill in its current form.
US oil stocks rise moderately in latest week, EIA says
US oil stocks rose moderately last week, according to the Energy Information Administration.
FX round-up: Sterling falls on renewed Brexit jitters as Trump helps dollar higher
Sterling had a torrid time on most key crosses Wednesday as rejuvenated Brexit jitters, weaker than expected manufacturing data and a US President Donald Trump-inspired rise in the dollar told against it.
Commodities: Gold tumbles after Trump infrastructure pledge, rising rate-hike expectations
Gold tumbled as traders donned rose-tinted glasses and sold safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump's policy-light speech to Congress, lapping up his pledge to spend $1trn rebuilding the US's infrastructure and the prospect of another US rate rise.
London close: 'Trump effect' heaves FTSE to record closing highs as global equities surge
London, Europe and US stock markets got a hefty heave higher Wednesday on the back of US President Donald Trump's $1trn infrastructure pledge to Congress last night, with the prospect of a US rates hike in March also a factor in traders' optimism.
US' Pence says new immigrant travel ban imminent
US Vice-President Mike Pence has said that Donald Trump's administration is putting the "final touches" to the introduction of a new immigrant travel ban, after the last effort was blocked in court.
ISM manufacturing tops estimates in February
Growth in the US manufacturing sector improved more than expected in February, according to the Institute for Supply Management.
Markit's US manufacturing PMI slips back in February
US manufacturing activity eased back in February, according to figures released on Wednesday.
François Fillon to continue with presidential campaign after court summons
France’s François Fillon said that he will continue with his presidential campaign and confirmed that he has been summoned by magistrates over an investigation of public money paid to his wife for a fictitious job.
BofA Merrill Lynch lifts S&P 500 year-end target to 2,450 from 2,300
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has bumped up its 2017 year-end target for the S&P 500 to reflect the increasing likelihood that we are entering the typical later stages of a bull market, during which fundamentals typically take a back seat to sentiment and technicals.
Trump calls for $1trn infrastructure investment to 'restart engine' of US economy
Donald Trump on Tuesday night delivered a predictably upbeat first speech to Congress as US President, reiterating several of his bold pledges but without providing much detail the business community was looking for apart from asking for backing for a $1tn (£800bn) infrastructure package.
France's Macron extends lead over Le Pen in run-off vote, poll shows
French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron's extended his lead over Marine Le Pen in a hypothetical run-off vote, the results of a daily poll showed.
German unemployment drops more than expected in February
German unemployment fell more than expected last month, according to data from Destatis.
François Fillon meets with magistrates over jobs scandal, cancels visit to farm fair
French presidential candidate François Fillon has been summoned by magistrates on Wednesday investigating claims that his wife was paid for work she did not do.
Eurozone manufacturing growth ticks up less than estimated in February
Growth in the eurozone manufacturing sector picked up a little less than initially estimated in February, according to figures released on Wednesday.
Chorus of Fed speakers push March rate hike odds as high as 70%
Hawkish remarks from a chorus of Fed speakers pushed market implied odds of a US central bank rate hike in mid-March as high as 70% at one point on Tuesday evening, before they fell back.
China manufacturing PMIs hold up better than expected in February
China's factories whirred back to life in February, boosted by strong demand for overseas, although some economists said the outlook was weaker.