Latest News
UK budget deficit falls to decade low but expected to rise this year
UK public borrowing declined more than expected in May, providing encouraging reading for Chancellor Philip Hammond, although the budget deficit is still expected to increase over the rest of the year as the economy weakens.
US pre-open: Stocks seen weaker as investors keep an eye on oil
US futures pointed to another day of losses on Wall Street on Wednesday.
Wizz Air orders 10 new Airbus A321ceo aircraft
Budget airline Wizz Air has ordered an additional 10 Airbus A321ceo aircraft to join its fleet in 2018 and 2019.
Echo Energy makes first Bolivian transaction
Echo Energy confirmed the signature of its first transaction in Bolivia on Wednesday, following its recently-announced onshore gas strategy across Latin America.
WPP invests $6.5m in US-based digital news company Mic Network
Advertising giant WPP has made a $6. 5m strategic investment in US-based digital news company Mic Network, which targets millennials.
Macquarie downgrades BP, prefers Total, Galp
The world's oil majors have made substantial progress in boosting their ability to make profits even in a low oil price environment, but low prices were set to strain their finances again over the short-term, according to Macquarie.
Instability worries as Saudi crown prince replaced by son of King Salman
The king of Saudi Arabia has unexpectedly removed nephew Mohammed bin Nayef from his influential role as crown prince and deputy prime minister, replacing him with his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
London open: Stocks edge lower as investors eye Queen's Speech
London stocks edged lower in early trade on Wednesday amid weaker oil prices, while UK investors awaited the Queen's Speech.
Europe and US drive growth at Walker Greenbank
Luxury interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank was holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday morning, with Terry Stannard set to update shareholders on the progress made by the business so far this year.
Whitbread sales froth up at Costa and Premier in first quarter
Whitbread booked in a strong start to its new financial year, with revenues at its Premier Inn hotels accelerating and Costa coffee shops sales returning to like-for-like growth.
Europe open: Banks, Big Oil lead losses
Losses for Big Oil and banks were dragging European stocks lower at the start of trading.
Berkeley Group hoists profits 53pc, remains confident despite headwinds
Housebuilder Berkeley Group lifted annual pre-tax profits 53% and while it warned the business was facing "a number of headwinds and a period of prolonged uncertainty" around its core London housing market, it had £2. 7bn of forward sales booked and remained confident of delivering its profits guidance for the next four years.
WH Ireland upbeat on trading performance
WH Ireland issued a trading update for the six months to 31 May on Wednesday, along with a change of its accounting reference period.
FTSE 100 movers: Commodity price drop hits miners, Big Oil
Miners were by far the weakest corner of the market on Tuesday amid broad-based declines in bulk metal prices, albeit with no obvious catalyst apparent.
New Shire ADHD treatment gets FDA green light
Shire announced on Wednesday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mydayis - mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product - as a once-daily treatment comprised of three different types of drug-releasing beads for patients 13 years and older with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Centrica to sell two power stations for £318m
British Gas parent Centrica has agreed to sell its operational Langage and South Humber Park combined cycle gas turbine power stations to EP UK Investments for £318m in cash.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Uber, Gemfields, Barclays boss, GVC
Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick resigned from his position as chief executive of the $68bn ride-hailing app on Tuesday, following a tumultuous six months of scandal. Kalanick stepped down in the face of pressure from five of Uber’s largest investors, according to the New York Times, which first reported Kalanick’s exit. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen weaker as investors eye Queen's Speech
London stocks were set for a weaker open on Wednesday, taking their cue from a downbeat session on Wall Street after oil prices slid to nine-month lows, as investors awaited the Queen's Speech later in the day.