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Argos drivers call off strike after pay talks
Drivers at Argos’s main distribution centre had voted on Tuesday to strike during the christmas period due to a pay dispute.
Fed raises rates by 25 basis points, sees three hikes in 2017
The US central bank hiked the range for its main policy rate by 25 basis points to between 0. 50% and 0. 75% and appeared to signal that more interest rate increases were in the pipeline for 2017 than it did at its meeting in September, when it last published projections.
Bonds: US 10-year yields jump to May 2014 highs
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed longer-term government bond yields:.
FX round-up: Rabobank calls dollar/yen lower
Cable was a smidgen higher despite a labour market report of November which economists characterised as showing "resilience" but perhaps also the first cracks in hiring trends.
Commodities: Oil futures dip after DoE inventory data
Commodity prices were range-bound ahead of the US central bank´s upcoming policy decision scheduled for later in the day.
Wednesday broker round-up
Hargreaves: Barclays reiterates overweight with a target price of 1560p.
Punch Taverns surges on two takeover offers, one from Heineken
Shares in Punch Taverns rocketed on Wednesday after the pub operator confirmed it has received two takeover offers, one from Patron Capital Advisers on behalf of Dutch brewer Heineken and the other from Emerald Investment Partners.
Europe close: Shares edge lower ahead of Fed meeting
European equities dipped further by midday as investors priced in a dovish hike from the Federal Reserve later in the day.
FTSE 100 movers: Capita gains while miners were mixed
The FTSE 100 index was down 0. 04% at 6,965. 37 in the late afternoon.
London close: Stocks end lower ahead of Fed rate announcement
London stocks ended lower on Wednesday following a mixed UK jobs report and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement.
Directors dealings: Howden Joinery boss picks up shares
The chief of Howden Joinery, Mark Robson, and his wife bought into the company´s battered shares on 13 December, the company said in a statement.
Small cap round up
Lavendon has agreed to be taken over by equipment rental group Loxam at a price of 220p in cash, valuing the aerial work platforms specialist at rouhgly £374m. Lavendon's directors will recommend the offer, which is at a 58. 3% premium to the closing price on 21 November when the potential deal was first mooted, to shareholders over the hostile bid from Belgium's TVH, which now owns around 9% of its shares and has already received clearance from the German competition authority.
Amazon makes first drone delivery for Prime Air service
US ecommerce giant Amazon has successfully carried out its first drone delivery in the United Kingdom after a package was delivered to an address in Cambridge.
CVS Group successfully raises £30m
Integrated veterinary services provider CVS Group announced on Wednesday that, following its announcements on Tuesday, it successfully raised a total of £30. 2m before expenses by means of an accelerated bookbuild with existing and new investors, and will issue 3,019,500 new ordinary shares at a price of 1000p each.
FTSE 250 movers: JD Sports slips on Channel 4's Rochdale allegations
The FTSE 250 index was modestly lower on Wednesday afternoon, led lower by a group of retail and leisure stocks.
Tungsten set to complete Bank sale
Tungsten corporation, an AIM listed global e-invoicing, purchase order services, analytics and financing company, saw revenue rise by 20% to £15. 5m for the six months ended 31 October 2016 but earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by £1. 9m to £6. 3m.
Sunrise Resources widens loss as development continues
Diversified mineral exploration and development company Sunrise Resources posted its audited results for the year to 30 September on Wednesday, with nil revenue and a total loss for the year of £0. 37m, widening from £0. 3m last year.
Brexit plan will not be published until February, says David Davis
The government’s Brexit plan will not be published until February 2017, David Davis the Brexit secretary said on Wednesday.
Over a third of US businesses considering relocation of UK operations
Research carried out by law firm Gowling WLG has shown that over one-third of businesses in the United States with bases in the United Kingdom are considering relocation as a result of Brexit.
Crimson Tide expects year-end profits to double
Crimson Tide, the provider of mpro5 smart mobility as a service, expects profit after tax for the year ended 31 December 2016 to have doubled with revenue to be over £1. 75m.