Latest News
US close: Dow 20,000 slips further from reach
The Dow 20,000 baseball caps remained under wraps on Wednesday, with US stocks recoiling further from the psychological level as oil prices slipped amid wrapping-paper thin volumes and news flow in the run-up to Christmas.
FX roundup: Sterling drifts lower as UK public-borrowing figures disappoint
Sterling cried into its Brexit beer on Wednesday and drifted lower on most major crosses, not helped by worse-than-expected UK public-borrowing figures and ensuing fears of further slips in the once-great British currency.
Europe close: Stocks mostly lower as future of Monte dei Paschi is decided
European stocks were on the back foot on Wednesday, with banks across the continent under pressure as investors eyed the fate of the world's oldest lender, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena.
London close: Stocks fall after worse-than-expected UK public borrowing data
London stocks declined on Wednesday after official UK public borrowing figures came in worse than expected.
Accenture's earnings show 22% profit jump, lowered guidance
Professional services firm Accenture PLC topped estimates for its first fiscal quarter of 2017 on Wednesday, although it did lower its guidance for the year.
Ariana Resources to acquire 100pc of Salinbas
Turkey-focused gold exploration and development company Ariana Resources announced the 100% acquisition of the Salinbas Gold Project from Eldorado Gold Netherlands, a subsidiary of Eldorado Gold Corporation, on Wednesday.
Commodities: Crude mixed as WTI promises 5-day winning streak
Crude-oil futures were mixed, albeit barely moved, with West Texas Intermediate looking hopeful to extend its winning streak to five consecutive sessions.
CloudBuy flags better-than-expected year after cost cutting
Cloud-based e-commerce marketplaces and B2B provider cloudBuy updated the market on trading for the year to 31 December on Wednesday.
Ex-BlackRock manager Lyttleton jailed after insider trading conviction
Mark Lyttleton, a former portfolio manager at BlackRock, has been jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to insider trading in November.
Aurum Mining to become cyber security firm called Shearwater
Aurum Mining announced a conditional placing of up to 150,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p each at a price of 4p per share on Wednesday, raising approximately £6m before expenses.
Small caps news round-up
Iron and polymetal explorer Beowulf Mining has raised £1m in equity in order to develop projects in Sweden. The £1m that will be raised will be added to the £140,000 already gained from investors in the UK and the £860,000 from investors in Sweden.
Mercom Capital to clear out board and change its name
Mercom Capital confirmed on Wednesday that discussions with Calvet International regarding the proposals set out on 1 December were ongoing.
Broker tips: James Fisher, Greencore, Shawbrook
Jefferies initiated coverage of James Fisher at ‘hold’ with a 1,570p price target.
European court hits Ryanair and Aer Lingus with 16m euro tax bill
Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus have been ordered to pay the state €16m in unpaid taxes by the European Court of Justice.
Beowulf Mining raises £1m to develop Swedish projects
Iron and polymetal explorer Beowulf Mining has raised £1m in equity in order to develop projects in Sweden.
FTSE 250 movers: Fisher floored by note, Qinetiq climbs on deal
The FTSE 250 index drifted lower on Wednesday amid thin trading volumes in the pre-Christmas week.
Families of Florida nightclub victims to sue Twitter, Google and Facebook
Internet giants Twitter, Google and Facebook are being taken to court by the families of those killed during the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June this year.
Results round-up
Legendary Investments posted its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 September on Wednesday, with an operating loss of £0. 14m, swinging from a profit of £2. 38m in the same period last year.
US open: Stocks low while Dow shy of 20,000 mark
US equity markets were down on Wednesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained at touching distance of the 20,000 mark, while the dollar fell.
Expert analysis: Russian markets stage recovery
By Colin Lloyd, an investment writer specialising in macroeconomics and financial markets Since January many emerging equity and bond markets have staged a spectacular recovery. Russia has been among the winners, buoyed by hopes of an end to international sanctions and a, relative, rapprochement with the new US administration.