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Fed stays put on rates, but amid divisions
The US central bank kept its main policy rate unchanged, amid widening divisions among its top rate-setters.
N Brown discovers accounting mistake, late to roll out online platform
N Brown revealed its US web platform will be launched later than planned, that it made a mistake in an earlier calculation of financial customer complaint redress and that its JD Williams subsidiary has gained regulatory approval to continue offering consumer credit.
US close: Wall Street gains after Fed decision
Traders pushed the main Wall Street equity benchmarks higher after the US central bank’s decision to keep policy unchanged, although no less than three voters on the Federal Open Market Committee dissented, casting their ballots in favour of an immediate rate hike.
Bonds: Fed keeps door open to 2016 rate hike
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Commodities: Precious metals lead gains
Precious metals futures added to gains from earlier in the session as the US central bank announced its decision to keep its main policy levers at their current settings, albeit amid divisions between the top policymakers at the monetary authority.
Directors dealings: Abcam chair trims stake as shares hit five-year high
The chairman of life sciences group Abcam trimmed his sizeable holdings in the group as the firm's share price continued to trade near their best levels of the past five years.
Europe close: Investors in holding-pattern ahead of Fed decision
European stocks rose, with banks leading the charge after the Bank of Japan stood pat on rates but tweaked its policy framework, as investors looked ahead to a policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Small caps round up
Majestic Wine shares tumbled on Wednesday after the company said it expects 2017 profits to be below current market expectations due to lower-than-expected sales in its commercial business and investment in the US division of Naked Wines. Current pre-tax profit consensus expectations for the year ending 3 April 2017 are £16. 1m, the company said.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Fastjet, Pennon Group
Fastjet has set itself from apart from its peers in Africa looking to leapfrog bottlenecks in the country's infrastructure by various means, the Financial Times said.
Brexit effects not felt yet in Britain, says ONS
The impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union has had little impact on the economy so far, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
S&P lowers rating on EDF after UK government approves Hinkley Point C
S&P Global Ratings has downgraded its rating on energy company Electricité de France (EDF) following the UK government’s approval of the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant project.
Venture Life's half-year revenues get shot in the arm from acquisition
AIM-listed self-care company Venture Life, which focuses on developing and manufacturing products for an ageing population, reported a rise in half-year revenues thanks in large part to a recent acquisition.
Boylesports cut odds on Trump to become next president to 6/4
Donald Trump's odds of beating Hillary Clinton to become the next United States president have shortened at leading bookmaker Boylesports.
Volkswagen investors suing over emissions scandal
Volkswagen (VW), the German car giant, is being charged with €8. 3bn in damages from 1400 German investors over its emissions scandal last year.
London close: Stocks rise ahead of Fed's policy announcement
London stocks finished in the green on Wednesday as traders digested the Bank of Japan’s policy decision and looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement.
Faron Pharma raises £8m to fund R&D
AIM listed Faron Pharmaceuticals raised £8m through a share placing and subscription to fund safety trials, pre-clinical advances and various research and development operations in biopharmaceuticals.
Apple in talks to buy McLaren, according to reports
US tech giant Apple is thought to have entered into negotiations for the purchase of luxury British carmaker McLaren - according to a report from the Financial Times.
Google launches messaging app Allo to compete with Whatsapp and Facebook
Google has released its messaging app which it hopes will provide serious competition to a market dominated by Facebook and its subsidiary company Whatsapp - Allo.
Concepta opens new laboratory at Colworth Park
Personalised mobile health company Concepta announced on Wednesday that it has moved its UK laboratory operations to a new site at Colworth Park in Bedfordshire, doubling the size of its operational headquarters.
Elecosoft revenue and earnings rise in first half
Construction software specialist Elecosoft announced its unaudited results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with revenue of £8. 8m up 10% year-on-year.