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Chinese social media charges against H&M over stance on Xinjiang forced labour
Users on Chinese social media called for fashion retailer H&M to "get out of Chinese market" over a statement the company made in 2020 in relation to the treatment of workers in the Xinjiang area.
Thursday preview: EU summit, US jobless data in focus
All eyes will be on Brussels on Thursday as the European Union heads of state are due to meet to analyse proposed curbs on the bloc's Covid-19 vaccine exports, among other matters.
Fragile companies at risk when support ends - EY
Top Director Buys Top Director Sells More than half of UK listed companies at heightened risk of insolvency claimed government support in December and could face a financial reckoning when assistance is withdrawn, according to a survey.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher despite Covid-19 concerns, vaccine spat
Shares on the Continent finished the day mostly higher as positive Eurozone business survey readings offset the hit from new lockdowns across the Continent and a dispute over Covid-19 vaccine supplies between the European Union and AstraZeneca.
London close: Stocks turn firmer as resource plays rise
London stocks managed a positive finish on Wednesday, having spent much of the session in the red amid ongoing worries about a third wave of coronavirus, as investors digested the latest UK inflation and business activity data.
Director dealings: SSP Group director ups stake
SSP Group said on Wednesday that non-executive director Judy Vezmar had acquired 16,050 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed foodservice company.
Feedback awarded one-year NHS trust contract
Medical imaging technology company Feedback has been awarded a one-year contract worth £84,000 with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, it announced on Wednesday.
European Union set to tighten curbs on vaccine exports
European Union officials will meet on Thursday to approve changes that could potentially lead to a reduction in exports of Covid-19 vaccine shots from the bloc.
Broker tips: Unite Group, WH Smith, NatWest
Analysts at Berenberg upgraded student accommodation provider Unite Group from 'hold' to 'buy' on Wednesday, stating increased visibility had provided the stock with re-rating potential.
Fox Marble signs another municipal supply contract
Kosovo and Balkans-focussed marble quarrying and processing company Fox Marble has signed its fourth contract in less than a year, it announced on Wednesday, to supply a major municipal construction project in Kosovo.
FTSE 250 movers: Gamesys surges on deal news; WHSmith falls
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 3% at 21,397. 04 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: IAG flies higher; BT in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 6,716. 07in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks record early gains following sharp sell-off in previous session
Wall Street stocks were higher in early trading on Wednesday following a sharp sell-off in the previous session as market participants again bet on the reopening of the US economy.
DeepVerge signs full agreement with Microsaic Systems
Environmental and life sciences artificial intelligence (AI) company DeepVerge has signed a full technical and commercial agreement with Microsaic Systems, it announced on Wednesday.
Downside surprise in US durable goods orders for February, on account of snowstorms
Orders in the US for goods made to last more than three years fell unexpectedly last month, but only on account of the snowstorms that blanketed much of the country.
Stricken Suez Canal ship 'partially re-floated' - GAC
The ship blocking the Suez Canal is understood to have been partially re-floated, raising hopes that the backed-up flow of traffic would be able to resume.
Glaxo fires former Trump vaccine tsar over harassment allegations
GlaxoSmithKline said on Wednesday that it has fired Moncef Slaoui as chair of the board of directors of Galvani, in which it owns a majority stake, amid allegations of sexual harassment.
ECSC records adjusted profit even as organic revenue falls
Cybersecurity service provider ECSC Group reported a 4% fall in organic revenue in its final results on Wednesday, to £5. 66m, which it put down to the short-term impact of Covid-19 in the second quarter.
SpaceX launches another 60 Starlink satellites
SpaceX added yet another 60 Starlink satellites to its existing constellation in orbit on Wednesday following their launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Wednesday broker round-up
WH Smith: JP Morgan downgrades to neutral with a target price of 1,793p.