Market Report
US close: Markets mixed as Dow stays shy of 24,000
Wall Street finished the midweek session on a mixed note, with the Dow spending much of the session edging towards, but not quite reaching, the 24,000 mark.
Eve Sleep's 130pc growth better than its wildest dreams
Strong trading momentum witnessed in the first half carried over into the second half of Eve Sleep's trading year, with the mattress maker's revenues expected to grow roughly 130% year-on-year.
Stagecoach pleased with DfT direction for rail franchises, others cry 'bailout'
Stagecoach Group issued a statement on Wednesday welcoming the planned “new direction” for the UK rail network, as announced by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Europe close: Stocks give back early gains amid heavy selling in tech space
Early gains evaporated as a wave of selling knocked the wind out of European technology issues - as on Wall Street - despite progress on the US tax reform front, which analysts widely consider will be a boon for that country's stockmarkets, above all.
Commodities: Gold breaks range to trade lower on improved US outlook
Gold managed to break it's tight $7 range on Wednesday, on the back of positive US data, breaking support at $1,291.
Shell 'particularly challenged' if oil prices continue to fall, says Citi
Analysts at US investment bank Citi said on Wednesday that while Royal Dutch Shell's (RDS) business update had excited the market with its view on how to improve free cash flow (FCF) yields, it was the life of the company's reserves that would tell the real story.
Sector movers: Retailers and banks gain on heels of Brexit bill reports
Retailers and banks drove gains at the middle of the week amid multiple reports that London and Brussels had reached a deal on the size of the UK's so-called Brexit bill, possibly paving the way for the next stage of negotiations - on trade - to begin.
London close: FTSE falls as pound rallies, Brexit deal in focus
London stocks closed lower on Wednesday despite a strong showing from banks and housebuilders as the pound rallied on news that a Brexit divorce bill has been agreed, with consumer borrowing figures in focus.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks and builders benefit from Brexit bill deal
Primary UK stock index the FTSE 100 was down 0. 33% in afternoon trading on Wednesday as the pound rose off the back of a reported deal between the UK and the EU for a so-called ‘Brexit bill’, which however did boost some sectors.
Thursday preview: Results from DMGT, Greene King and Marston's; Eurozone inflation, UK confidence
Companies reporting on Thursday include DMGT, Grainger, Greene King and Marston's, while the big macro data will be European consumer prices, along with some official Chinese data, German unemployment and US PCE inflation.
Tri-Star invests $6m to Strategic & Precious Metals Processing
The technology and mineral processing company, Tri-Star, invested an additional $6m via a mezzanine loan to Strategic & Precious Metals Processing, in which it has 40% equity interest, to enable further development of the Oman Antimony Roaster Project in Oman, it has emerged on Wednesday.
Mkango Resources awarded prospecting licence for Chimimbe Hill
Mkango Resources has been granted an exclusive prospecting licence covering the Chimimbe Hill nickel-cobalt deposit and other targets in Mchinji district, central Malawi, it announced on Wednesday.
Ortac Resources uncovers gold of 'significant grades' at DRC's Akyanga
Exploration and development company Ortac Resources intercepted further gold from two drill holes at its Akyanga gold deposit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
FTSE 250 movers: Stagecoach surges but Cineworld slumps on acquisition news
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 3% to 20,091. 14 in afternoon trade on Wednesday amid reports of a breakthrough over the Brexit divorce bill.
Big gains and Big Macs: Bitcoin smashes through $11,000
Less than a day after Bitcoin topped the symbolic $10,000 barrier for the first time, the cryptocurrency broke through the $11,000 mark on Wednesday morning, adding more than 10% in value over the course of just 24 hours.
Cost savings programme brings ECSC in line with market expectations
AIM-listed cybersecurity firm ECSC Group said on Wednesday that after the successful completion of its previously announced cost reduction programme, and having secured two significant managed services contracts, trading performance had lined up with market expectations.
US pending home sales rise more than expected in October
US pending home sales rose more than expected in October, bouncing back after three straight months of declines, according to figures from the National Association of Realtors.
Plutus brings two new power generation facilities online
Flexible energy generation-focussed power developer Plutus Powergen has brought a further two new power generation facilities into operation in the UK, it announced on Wednesday.
US open: Dow aims for 24,000-point mark, but Nasdaq comes under selling pressure
Wall Street has begun the session on a mixed note, albeit with the Dow on track to hit another record as it edges towards the 24,000 mark.
Oxford Pharmascience upbeat on latest OXPzero advice
Specialty pharmaceutical redeveloper Oxford Pharmascience has received pre-IND scientific advice from the US FDA, it announced on Wednesday, regarding the development programme requirements likely to be needed to support a future new drug application for an over-the-counter product containing OXPzero Ibuprofen.