Market Pulse
US wants "significant structural change" in trade relationship with China, Lighthizer says
The US administration seeks "significant structural changes" in its trade relationship with China, America's trade czar told Congress.
Commodities: Oil futures bounce back despite record US oil output
Commodity prices were moving higher on Wednesday, helped by a 'bullish' set of weekly US oil inventory figures, even as America's trade czar, Robert Lighthizer, testified before Congress on the current state of US-China trade talks.
Europe close: Stocks slip amid soft data, eyes on trade talks
Stocks on the Continent slipped a smidgen as somewhat wary investors paused for breath to assess the latest economic data, while keeping an eye on the latest news-flow around US -China trade talks.
Thursday preview: US data, British American Tobacco in the spotlight
The spotlight on Thursday will be on a raft of economic data in the US, together with an avalanche of company results in Britain.
London close: Stocks slip even as sentiment towards UK warms
London stocks finished in the red on Wednesday as sterling pushed to a seven-month high against the US dollar and 21-month high versus the euro amid increased expectations that a no-deal Brexit will be avoided.
UK strikes deal to retain WTO procurement membership after Brexit
Britain has secured a deal to remain within the World Trade Organisation’s Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) after the nation leaves the European Union.
Metro Bank profit soars but growth guidance cut
Metro Bank reported a solid set of full year results and tweaked its strategic targets overnight, after announcing an emergency fundraising and saying that financial regulators were to investigate its accounting error last month.
ITV teams up with BBC for streaming service, ad sales wobble
ITV is close to concluding talks with the BBC over a strategic partnership to launch a video-on-demand service called Britbox, but said profits fell last year and TV advertising sales will fall in the first four months of 2019.
Broker tips: Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Tullow Oil, Shell
Analysts think that Marks & Spencer’s £750m joint venture with Ocado faces a lengthy period of unprofitable development, but the expense should eventually pay off.
US open: Stocks open lower as Trump-Kim summit kicks off
US stocks opened lower on Wednesday as investors awaited news from a summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and another day of testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell before Congress.
Premier Foods shakes up board following strategic review
British food manufacturer Premier Foods has shaken up its boardroom following a strategic review aimed at increasing shareholder value.
Director dealings: Intermediate Capital director ups stake
Intermediate Capital director Michael Nelligan acquired 12,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed asset manager on Wednesday.
RBC downgrades Shell to 'sector perform'
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets downgraded oil giant Shell to 'sector perform' on Wednesday, citing three key reasons for the move.
US pending home sales bounce back strongly in January
US pending home sales bounced back much more strongly than expected in January after hitting a near five-year low the previous month, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
No passenger compensation for Ryanair strikes, court rules
Ryanair welcomed a decision from the Swords District Court in Dublin on Wednesday, in which the court confirmed that no compensation was due to customers under EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) for delays and cancellations because of internal strike action in the airline last year.
Taylor Wimpey profit rises amid 'robust' demand
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey posted a jump in full-year profit on Wednesday as completions edged higher amid "robust" demand for new homes.
FTSE 100 movers: M&S slumps on Ocado deal; banks on the up
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 6% to 7,108. 52 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as the pound continued to push higher.
Indivior launches schizophrenia treatment in US
Indivior has launched its monthly injectable treatment for adult schizophrenia in the US, for which it has guided to peak sales of $200-300m.
SpaceandPeople extends deal with German shopping centre firm ECE
SpaceandPeople has extended its agreement with GB Immobilien (ECE) for the provision of retail merchandising units (RMUs) in ECE-managed shopping centres in Germany, it announced on Wednesday.
US trade deficit on goods jumps in December
America's shortfall in trade on goods with the rest of the world jumped at the end of 2018.