Market Report
US Fed cuts interest rates - Analysts react
"We are baffled by the lack of change in the economic forecasts for 2020. [. ] The overriding message here, then, is uncertainty, which has generated forecasts showing that not much will change in either the economy or policy. Probably, this will turn out to be wrong, but it’s just not possible to say with any confidence in which direction, or when. " - Ian Shepherdson, Pantheon Macroeconomics.
Fed cuts by 25 basis points, says outlook still 'uncertain'
America's central bank cut its main policy rate further and now several of its top officials believed that it would need to be lowered again before the year was out.
Commodities: Energy futures down after Saudi predicts return to pre-attack level in October
Energy futures continued to drag the complex lower on Wednesday after Saudi said that the majority of output of crude oil lost in the previous weekend's attacks on the kingdom's energy infrastructure should be back on-line by the end of September.
Ofgem to answer MPs over role in blackout
UK energy regulator Ofgem will face a committee of MPs to answer questions over the blackout in August and its role in the matter.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher ahead of US central bank decision
European stocks ended Wednesday's session a tad higher ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy announcement, while oil prices continued to retreat from Monday's highs.
London close: Stocks flat ahead of US Fed
London stocks were little changed on Wednesday as investors mulled UK inflation data while they waited for the latest policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve.
Berenberg ups target on NMC Health as bear case goes into hibernation
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on healthcare provider NMC Health from £36 to £40 on Wednesday, stating that its bear case was "going into hibernation" following the group's recent first-half results.
Director dealings: Dechra chairman and CEO raise stakes
Dechra Pharmaceuticals revealed on Wednesday that chief executive officer Ian Page had offloaded 200,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed veterinary drugs outfit.
Broker tips: Weir Group, NMC Health, Sirius Minerals
JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded its rating on shares of Weir Group to ‘neutral’ from ‘overweight’ on Wednesday, cutting the price target to 1,500p from 1,650p as it said oil & gas challenges were set to persist as it reviewed its investment case after recent share price strength.
Taliban warns teachers and students to shun Afghan elections
The Taliban on Wednesday warned teachers and students to avoid working with electoral staff in the run-up to the nation's Presidential vote or risk being killed.
Smart TVs sharing user data with Netflix and Facebook
Smart TVs are allowing access to sensitive user data by firms including Netflix, Google, and Facebook, revealed two studies.
FTSE 250 movers: Sabre climbs, Sirius drops
London's FTSE 250 was 0. 13% higher at 20,065. 98 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Sabre Insurance leading the index upward.
US open: Stocks head south ahead of Fed decision
US stocks opened lower on Wednesday as investors awaited a rate decision from the US Federal Reserve later in the session.
Next week’s British Airways strikes called off
British Airways pilots have called off a strike scheduled for 27 September.
Warehouse REIT buys eight assets from Aviva Investors
Specialist warehouse investor Warehouse REIT announced the purchase of an eight asset fully-let portfolio of reversionary warehouse and distribution assets from Aviva Investors on Wednesday, for £70m.
FTSE 100 movers: Housebuilders take a hit; Evraz rallies on higher iron ore prices
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 2% at 7,307. 35 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors mulled the latest inflation data and eyed an upcoming policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Salt Lake Potash upbeat on 'outstanding' pilot plant results
Salt Lake Potash has completed the pilot plant test work of the Lake Way salts at the Saskatchewan Research Council, it announced on Wednesday, with the test work yielding a premium sulphate of potash (SOP) product that was “highly water soluble” with a 53% potassium oxide grade.
Kodal Minerals makes solid progress on lithium and gold projects
Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals updated the market on its recent activities on Wednesday, reporting that at the Bougouni Lithium Project, the site visit to the San Pedro Port in Côte d'Ivoire had been completed.
Landore Resources raises £0.47m as it expands exploration programme
Landore Resources has raised gross proceeds of £0. 47m through a subscription of 64,827,586 new ordinary shares at a price of 0. 725p each, it announced on Wednesday, with certain existing shareholders.
Equatorial Palm Oil confirms first export shipment from Buchanan
Liberia-focussed palm oil development and production company Equatorial Palm Oil confirmed the first export shipment of crude palm oil from the port of Buchanan on Wednesday.