Market Report
US close: Stocks hold losses following FOMC minutes
US stocks closed lower on Wednesday, as the US' intensifying trade war with China overshadowed minutes from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting.
Europe close: Stocks end on a mixed note amid trade jitters
Stocks finished slightly lower as investors continued to monitor the headlines around the ongoing trade war between the US and China while keeping an eye on the news flow on Brexit.
FTSE 250 movers: Babcock slides, IG Group leaps
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 31% at 19,376. 45 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Babcock International leading the index lower.
Thursday preview: European parliamentary elections, TalkTalk in focus
All eyes on Thursday will be on the start of voting for MEPs to the European Parliament.
No strong argument to either raise or lower rates, Fed's Williams says
A top US central bank official does not see strong enough arguments at the moment to either raise or lower interest rates.
London close: Stocks end off highs as Theresa May's fate hangs in the balance
London stocks ended just in the green on Wednesday, off earlier highs as sterling remained under pressure and below $1. 27 amid growing calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to resign.
US business group in China faces retaliation from escalating trade conflict
The top US business association in China said on Wednesday that half its members faced retaliation by the Chinese government following the escalation of the country's trade conflict with the US.
Director dealings: 4D Pharma board up stakes
4D Pharma revealed that chief executive Duncan Peyton had acquired 101,199 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed drugmaker on Wednesday.
EE and Vodafone pull Huawei phones from 5G network launch
BT owned EE and Vodafone announced on Wednesday that they won’t offer phones from Huawei when they roll out Britain’s first 5G mobile network next week.
Broker tips: Moneysupermarket, IQE, Lloyds
UBS has upgraded its rating on Moneysupermarket Group and boosted earnings forecasts, arguing that the price comparison site is gearing up to enter a “virtuous circle”.
US central bank may want to cut rates if inflation disappoints, Fed's Bullard says
One of the more 'dovish' rate-setters at the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that the US central bank may want to consider interest rate cuts if inflation readings continue to disappoint.
Zinc Media announces £5.1m of new TV commissions
Television and multimedia content producer Zinc Media Group announced a number of new commissions totalling £5. 1m on Wednesday, including two returning series and a new repeatable series.
US open: Stocks head south ahead of Fed minutes
US stocks headed south at the open on Wednesday, with market participants continuing to keep their eyes on the intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing.
Dotdigital to wind-down non-core parts of Comapi acquisition
Marketing and customer engagement software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider dotdigital Group has successfully completed the integration of the ‘Comapi CPaaS’ technology into the ‘Engagement Cloud’ platform of its core ‘dotmailer’ marketing platform, it announced on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: M&S slumps after results; paper companies rally
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 7,334. 67 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
OptiBiotix appoints Poland distributor for 'GoFigure' products
Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health has appointed Extensor as the exclusive distributor of its own label ‘GoFigure’ consumer weight management products in Poland, it announced on Wednesday.
Motif Bio inks deal for toxoplasmosis study in Germany
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Motif Bio has signed an agreement with Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg to conduct a study evaluating ‘iclaprim’ in an in vitro model of ocular toxoplasmosis, it announced on Wednesday.
UN expert calls out Tory policies that led to 'systematic' UK poverty
UN poverty expert Philip Alston said in a report that the "ideological" cuts to public services in the UK since 2010 have led to "tragic consequences" and continue “largely unabated”.
Avon surges as it confirms advanced talks with Brazil's Natura
US beauty company Avon Products confirmed on Wednesday that is in advanced discussions with Brazil’s Natura & Co regarding a potential all-stock transaction.
Boku enters two new partnerships as it continues to trade in line
Mobile carrier payments provider Boku announced two new partnerships on Wednesday, and updated the market on its trading, first confirming a new integration with Grab Holdings’ ‘GrabPay’ solution.