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FX round-up: Sterling dips on dollar, gains elsewhere ahead of BoE rates, inflation data
Sterling was modestly firmer against a basket of other key currencies on Tuesday but lost a little ground on an in-form US dollar, with cautious investors already looking to the Bank of England's fixtures on Thursday.
Bonds: Gilts weaker ahead of MPC and after poor RBS covered bond sale
These were the movements in some of the most widley-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 41% (+2bp)UK: 1. 20% (+6bp)Germany: 0. 43% (+1bp)France: 0. 87% (+2bp)Italy:2. 28% (+4bp)Spain: 1. 62% (+3bp)Greece: 5. 65% (-3bp)Portugal: 3. 44% (+3bp)Japan: 0. 04% (+1bp).
FTSE 250 movers: Vectura anticipates Advair letter, Travis Perkins hit by Grafton update
The FTSE 250 was on the front foot on Tuesday, with the index up 0. 5% to 19,832. 81 just before the close.
London close: FTSE jogs higher on miners as political risk jitters fade
Equities in London went for a jog higher on Tuesday thanks to gains in mining stocks and a subdued sterling, as jitters about political risk fade for the time being.
Europe close: Stoxx 600 hits 21-month high
European stocks have ended the day on the frontfoot despite renewed selling pressure on the euro and in crude oil futures, albeit with some traders expressing doubts about continued low levels of volatility.
Citi hikes Spirent Comunications target price, adds M&A premium
Spirent Communications's risk-reward profile justifies the current premium embedded in its valuation, more so given that markets may begin to factor-in the possibility of a take-over, Citi analysts said.
Consumer spending data shows strong Easter boost
Further data emerged to confirm the strong lift to spending in April from the later Easter this year, according to figures from Barclaycard.
Liberal candidate Moon Jae-in wins South Korean presidential election
Moon Jae-in, a leftist liberal candidate, has won South Korea's presidential election following the impeachment of previous leader Park Geun-hye.
Sector movers: Miners track bounce in base metals, Cobham drags on Aerospace
Miners are seeing some follow-through buying on Tuesday, following a bounce during the previous session, thanks to overnight gains in the price of copper and other base metals such as nickel and zinc.
WPP agency buys e-commerce advisor
One of advertising behemoth WPP's digital agencies has looked to strengthen its e-commerce offering with the acquisition of Atlanta-based Marketplace Ignition.
Brexit impact sees huge increase in Britons learning new languages
Learning a second language has become a priority for many UK citizens ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union, new research has found.
Commodities: Oil accelerates lower as markets fret over Opec pledge extension
Crude-oil futures accelerated lower on Tuesday afternoon as markets fretted about the likelihood of cartel Opec extending its current production pledge.
US open: Big cap tech leads gains amid record-low volatility
Stocks on Wall Street are higher in early trading with investors looking forward to more Fedspeak amid a backdrop of renewed gains for big cap tech names and stock volatility at record lows.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners bounce back but utilities take a hit
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 6% to 7,341. 46 in afternoon trade, with heavily-weighted mining stocks providing most of the upside as they bounced back from heavy losses in the previous session.
Tuesday broker round-up
Spirent Communications: Citigroup upgrades to Buy with a target price of 145p.
John Lewis sets aside £36m after minimum wage mistake
John Lewis said on Tuesday that it has set aside £36m to cover the costs of complying with national minimum wage regulations.
Mayan Energy reports encouraging progress on LM13 at Shoats Creek
Shares in Mayan Energy fell 16% despite announcing encouraging progress from its LM 13 Shallow-Well (LM13) programme at the Shoats Creek operation.
Goals Soccer Centres makes 'encouraging progress'
Investors in outdoor small-sided football centre operator Goals Soccer Centres gathered for the company’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, preparing to hear that the company had made “encouraging progress” despite there still being “much to do”, according to chairman Nick Basing.
LiDCO granted CE mark for latest product
Hemodynamic monitoring company LiDCO announced on Tuesday that it had been granted a CE mark for its latest product, the LiDCOunity v2, and would showcase it in Europe at the fifth ERAS World Congress, which was being held in Lyon, France from 10-12 May 2017.
Five-night 'Brexit tour' of London offered for $5995
Discerning American holidaymakers were treated to a special offer on Monday, as one newspaper advertised a five-night stay in London specifically tailored towards Brexit enthusiasts.