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US close: Stocks smooth bumps as Beige Book bears benign backdrop
Recouping mid-session losses, US stocks ended the day largely flat as recovering oil prices balanced a rising dollar, while the Federal Reserve's 'Beige Book' indicated the economy was growing at a moderate pace without much inflationary pressure.
London close: Stocks rise as Carney defends stimulus measures
The FTSE 100 ended higher on Wednesday as Bank of England Governor Mark Carney defended the central bank’s decision to boost stimulus measures.
Small cap round up
AIM-listed Russia-focused oil and gas exploration and production company Zoltav Resources said on Wednesday that it expects pre-tax profit for the year to the end of December 2016 to be materially ahead of market views. In an update ahead of its annual general meeting, the company attributed the upbeat outlook to management’s efforts to drive operational performance and an ongoing programme of cost optimisation at an operating and administrative level.
Goldman Sachs staff banned from donating to Trump campaign
US investment bank Goldman Sachs has reportedly banned its employees from contributing money to certain political campaigns, including that of presidential candidate Donald Trump.
GDP growth in the UK slows post Brexit, NIESR says
GDP growth in the three months to August slowed compared to the prior quarter, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).
Europe close: Stocks edge higher after disappointing German data
European stocks edged higher at the close on Wednesday as investors digested some disappointing German data and looked ahead to Thursday’s rate announcement from the European Central Bank.
Ministers called to ignore pleas to stop wage rises post Brexit
The government should not put a limit on living wage rises despite business organisations lobbying to do so in the post-Brexit environment, according to a think tank.
ULS Technology develops Legal & General Mortgage Club platform
Provider of online B2B platforms for the UK conveyancing and financial intermediary markets, ULS Technology, announces the launch of a new conveyancing service on Wednesday, developed exclusively for Lloyds Banking Group to launch with Legal & General Mortgage Club.
Apple ruling "cannot be allowed to stand": Enda Kenny
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the country's parliament that the European Commission's decision to rule that it had given Apple up to €13bn in illegal state aid was "profundly wrong" and "cannot be allowed to stand".
PureTech Health widens loss, reports development progress
Cross-disciplinary biotech company PureTech Health announced its half-yearly results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with consolidated cash reserves at period end of $297. 4m, down from $313. 7m at the start of the period.
French President Hollande would lose next election, poll reveals
French President François Hollande would be spurned by the French electorate if he stood for re-election in next year's presidential election, according to a recent poll.
Sanne Group posts impressive rise in first half earnings
Sanne Group posted its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue rising 31% to £27. 6m and underlying operating profit improving 30% to £10. 3m.
Wednesday share tips: Sports Direct, Ashmore
Share buy-backs may not add value, but they do serve a signalling function, the Financial Times´s Lex column said.
US job openings rise in July, Labor Department reveals
The number of job openings in the US rose by more than expected in July, according to the Labor Department on Wednesday.
Tern's Device Authority partners with DigiCert
Cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) specialist company Tern announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary, Device Authority, has entered a strategic partnership with DigiCert, a global provider of trusted identity and authentication solutions, to provide enhanced device provisioning and credential management for the IoT.
FTSE 250 movers: Vectura gains but CMC Markets slumps
London’s FTSE 250 index was up 0. 3% to 18,051. 69 in afternoon trade.
Servelec reports raft of first-half slides
Healthcare, local government, and energy technology company Servelec Group announced its results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue dropping 5% from a year earlier to £28. 4m.
Sector movers: Electricity stocks buoyed by low interest rate expectations
Electricity shares were near the top of the leaderboard, with investors apparently growing more confident that interest rates worldwide may indeed remain 'lower for longer'.
Theresa May will not give a 'running commentary' on Brexit negotiations with EU
Theresa May said she would not give a “running commentary” on Brexit negotiations and “reveal our hand prematurely” to the EU as she refused to say whether the country will stay in the single market.
Ford announces three-year sponsorship deal with NFL
One of the US' biggest car manufacturers is teaming up with one of its biggest sports as Ford's truck line will sponsor the National Football League for the next three years.