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US close: Stocks erase most early losses after Fed's upbeat update
Wall Street had a mixed session on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold but sounded hawkish notes about the economy and was felt likely to be looking at a June hike.
Fed June rate hike odds jump after policy statement
The odds of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve at its June meeting moved sharply higher following the release of the central bank's policy statement in which it brushed aside the importance of weaker than expected first quarter GDP figures.
Europe close: Stocks end off session lows, led by healthcare, banks
Gains in healthcare and banks helped offset losses in miners amid stronger-than-expected economic data on both sides of the Pond and speculation of a slightly more hawkish bias from the European Central Bank and (possibly) the Federal Reserve.
Sector movers: Miners caught in copper price downdraft
Another leg lower for copper prices amid recent 'market chatter' of a weakening outlook for China's economy sent miners to the bottom of the pile.
London close: Sainsbury weighs on grocers, China on miners
Weak full-year results from Sainsbury and worries about the outlook for growth in China weighed on London's top flight index as investors mulled reports that the European Union wanted to play hardball with Westminster, asking for up to €100bn in payments from the UK as the price of its Brexit divorce settlement.
FX round-up: Sterling mixed amid May's hot chips, Brexit divorce bills ahead of Fed rate call
Sterling is mixed on Wednesday afternoon as traders hunker to await the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision tonight.
US services activity slightly better than expected
US services sector output continued to grow modestly in April, though costs rose as input price inflation accelerated to its highest level in almost two years.
Cabot Credit Management confirms reports of London float
One of Britain’s largest debt collectors was confirmed to be toying with the idea of a float this week, as reports emerged that three investment banks had been called in.
Facebook hiring 3,000 to combat inappropriate streaming
Social network Facebook announced on Wednesday that it would hire 3,000 employees to monitor content on its site after recent incidents of violence being live streamed by users.
Thursday preview: HSBC, Shell on tap; services PMI seen slipping
Thursday is gearing up to a busy day on both the corporate and macroeconomic fronts, with results due from oil giant Shell and banking behemoth HSBC.
Focus on customers sees Focusrite earnings surge
Music and audio hardware and software supplier Focusrite announced its half year results for the six months to 28 February on Wednesday, reporting “strong” organic growth across all key financial metrics and key performance indicators.
Prospex operating loss widens as development continues
Investment company Prospex Oil and Gas announced its final results for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday - another year in which it recorded nil revenue, and widened its operating loss to £0. 78m from £0. 6m in the prior year.
Indivior shoots off to strong start as generic trial outcomes loom
Indivior got off to a solid first quarter as sales of its Suboxone film for heroin addiction remained resilient and it waited on the outcome of patent challenge trials with Dr Reddy's, Actavis and Par that are expected in the second quarter.
FTSE 250 movers: Mitie gains but Galliford tanks on £98m hit from legacy contracts
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 7% to 19,662. 79 in afternoon trade as investors sifted through corporate news.
FTSE 100 movers: Sage rallies on update but Sainsbury's slumps
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 3% to 7,226. 38 in afternoon trade as investors mulled the latest UK construction data and looked to the Fed's latest policy announcement.
Audioboom revenue up in final results
Spoken word audio on-demand platform Audioboom announced its final audited results for the 12 month period to 30 November on Wednesday, reporting that total revenue had increased by £1. 1m to £1. 3m.
Results round-up
Supermarket chain and retail group J Sainsbury posted its preliminary results for the year to 11 March on Wednesday, with group sales - including VAT - up 12. 7% to £29. 11bn, which the board said was mainly as a result of the contribution from its 2016 acquisition Argos.
ISM services index ticks higher in April
Activity in the US services sector improved more than expected in April, according to figures released on Wednesday.
US open: Investors brush aside good economic data ahead of Fed
Wall Street is nursing slight losses roughly half an hour after the start of trading despite news that activity in the key services sector accelerated in April as a retreat in shares of Apple dragged on the main indices.
RBC Capital downgrades Burberry to 'underperform'
RBC Capital Markets downgraded Burberry to 'underperform' from 'sector perform' and cut the price target to 1,530p from 1,620p.