Latest News
US close: Stocks post gains despite healthcare weakness
US equity markets ended in the black on Wednesday, with all three major indices registering their biggest gains since the election despite weakness in the healthcare sector.
Commodities: Crude futures slip lower, silver gains
Declines in energy and agricultural futures weighed on the commodities space, with a bounce in precious metals providing a partial offset.
FX round-up: Pound slips after weak industrial production data for October
A considerably weaker-than-expected reading on UK industrial production weighed on Sterling.
Tata steel secures jobs at Port Talbot, says trade unions
Indian steel-making company, Tata Steel has committed to secure jobs and production at Port Talbot as well as other steelworks across the UK according to trade unions.
Europe close: Banks extend gains heading into ECB meeting
Equities in the single currency bloc finished sharply higher amid expectations the European Central Bank would extend its quantitative easing programme on Thursday and following reports of a possible bailout for Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena.
Small cap round up
Specialist regional UK property investment, development and management company Circle Property announced its results for the six months to 30 September on Wednesday. The AIM-traded firm posted a 16. 3% increase in value of the group's portfolio of 16 UK investment properties to £90. 425m, up from £77. 735m at the end of March, resulting primarily from the group's successful asset management initiatives.
London close: Stocks rise on hopes of Monte dei Paschi bailout, further ECB stimulus
London stocks were sitting higher on Wednesday as hope of a bailout of Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena lifted investor sentiment.
Donald Trump chosen as Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2016
US president-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year award after claiming a shock victory over Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House last month.
Barclays to appoint Debenhams chairman as head of UK bank
Barclays has selected Debenhams chairman Ian Cheshire as its number one candidate to lead its new ring-fenced UK bank as it prepares to adopt a new regulatory framework designed to insulate taxpayers in the event of a future financial crisis, according to a report by Sky News.
Starbucks to open 12,000 coffee shops as it targets five-year growth guidance
US coffee shop chain Starbucks has announced plans to add 12,000 more stores worldwide after it unveiled a new five-year growth plan which will attempt to increase its annual revenue by 10%.
Director dealings: Breedon's Peter Tom sells £5.1m of shares
Breedon's executive chairman and a divisional chief executive pocketed a combined £5. 2m after selling shares in the construction materials group a week after it announced full year earnings would be ahead of expectations.
Numis lifts dividend as revenue, profits grow
Numis Corporation - the holding company of independent corporate advisory and stockbroking business Numis Securities - announced preliminary results for the year to 30 September on Wednesday.
AFH Financial gobbles up David Rushton
Financial planning-led wealth management firm AFH Financial has agreed the acquisition of the assets of David Rushton Associates, a Lancashire-based IFA.
Churchill Mining's $1bn claim against Indonesia struck off
A tribunal has struck out a claim by Churchill Mining for damages after Indonesia’s government revoked its licence for a coal project.
Government likely to have enough MP numbers to pass Brexit bill, report says
The House of Commons is likely to vote for the UK to leave the European Union, according to calculations of parliamentary voting intentions.
Tethyan Resources reports on busy revenue-free year
Tethyan Resources posted its interim report for the six months to 30 September on Wednesday, a period in which it once again made nil revenue, but continued its work to develop a viable operation.
Results round-up
Train and bus operator Stagecoach has lifted its interim dividend and tried to put the emphasis on the future to keep investors chipper as current profits and earnings fall in the face of what it said was a continuing "challenging and uncertain" political and economic environment.
US weekly oil inventories fall, EIA reveals
US crude inventories fell by 2. 4 million barrels last week to 485. 8 million barrels, official data showed on Wednesday.
Updated: Italy PM Matteo Renzi to resign on Wednesday, budget approved
Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is to resign on Wednesday, after his resignation was delayed when he conceded defeat following the referendum on constitutional reform.
Sector movers: Miners jump, banks not far behind
Miners were higher, boosted by news that Chinese authorities would reduce polluting steel-scrap processing in 2017 and ahead of options declarations on the LME, on Wednesday.