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US close: Stocks dragged lower by fall in oil prices
US stocks closed lower on Wednesday as oil prices dropped after government data showed a greater-than-expected increase in weekly US crude inventories.
Commodities: Rising dollar sinks all boats
Hawkish Fedspeak, a rising US dollar and data showing a very large jump in US oil inventories during the latest reference week took the wind out of commodity prices on Wednesday.
Sector movers: Miners buried under by rising US dollar
Miners sank to the bottom of the pile on Wednesday continued more hawkish Fedspeak weighed on commodity prices amid lower than usual trading volumes ahead of Easter.
FX round-up: Fed's Bullard, ECB's Weidmann sound hawkish note
The dollar was stronger across the board come Wednesday on the back of somewhat hawkish remarks from another Fed speaker.
Europe close: Fedspeak weighs on shares
European equity markets finished on a mixed note on Wednesday, weighed down by hawkish Fedspeak and a drop in crude oil futures, although travel-related stocks were back in the black.
Yum Brands could sell chunk of China business
Fast food giant Yum Brands was said to be considering selling a chunk of its Chinese operation on Wednesday, as part of a plan to spin-off the once rocketing division in a country infatuated with American-style takeaways.
Small caps news round-up
Half-time results from video games retailer Game Digital disappointed investors as the 'rebasing' to a lower dividend and shifting consumer demands outweighed the beating of profits guidance issued in January. January's guidance was admittedly a downgrade on the prior year but it was better than the company feared when it issued a profit warning just before Christmas.
Director dealing: John Laing FD buys ahead of dividend payout
John Laing Group finance director Patrick Bourke splashed out £137,000 worth of shares at a price of 228. 25p in the infrastructure investor, bumping up his stake as the company bumps up its dividend payouts.
London close: FTSE closes lower on falling oil prices
The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Wednesday as falling in oil prices weighed on sentiment.
Game Digital beaten up after slashing dividend
Half-time results from video games retailer Game Digital disappointed investors as the 'rebasing' to a lower dividend and shifting consumer demands outweighed the beating of profits guidance issued in January.
Bank of Cyprus UK selects Lombard Risk
Lombard Risk added another customer to its AgileREPORTER automated regulatory reporting product on Wednesday, announcing it had signed up Bank of Cyprus UK.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Tesco, Micro Focus
A barrage of new initiatives from Tesco has helped steady the ship, but it will be some time before they yield fatter margins and the return of the dividend, the Financial Times’s Lex column said.
US weekly crude inventories rise more than expected, EIA reveals
US crude inventories rose more than expected to a record high last week, according to government data on Wednesday.
Frontier Resources now just a cash shell
Frontier Resources became an AIM Rule 15 cash shell on Wednesday, having completed the disposal of Frontier Oman Resources and Frontier Resources International.
Thursday preview: Next unveils full year results
Fashion retailer Next expects to report an increase in full year pre-tax profit on Thursday.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners drop but travel-related stocks recover
London’s FTSE 100 index was down 0. 2% to 6,180. 92 at 1525 GMT, with miners under the cosh.
US open: Stocks drop as oil prices slide
US stocks declined on Wednesday as oil prices fell after government data showed an increase in weekly US crude inventories.
Broker tips: William Hill, DFS, Mothercare
Nomura has maintained its 'buy' rating on William Hill after the bookmaker issued a profit warning due to newly introduced regulatory measures and poor sporting results.
Mobile contract switching made easier under new Ofcom proposals
For UK mobile users, moving to a new contract and keeping your existing number will become quicker and easier under new rules proposed by the telecoms regulator on Wednesday.
Rates can go lower, but there are side-effects, ECB's Lautenschlaeger says
Two top Eurozone officials said interest rates in the euro area can go lower, but cautioned there were ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ to such decisions.