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US close: Major indices extend gains as Q2 earnings season carries on
Wall Street stocks closed higher on Wednesday as market participants remained firmly focussed on corporate earnings.
Europe close: Stocks slip as geopolitical tensions run high
European stocks ended the day a tad lower after Russia's foreign minister said the scope of its invasion of Ukraine would be expanded should the West provide Kyiv with long-range weaponry.
Sector movers: Tobacco and Big Pharma pace declines
Defensive areas of the market such as Tobacco and Pharmaceuticals came under a bit of selling pressure in the middle of the week following their recent run higher.
Director dealings: Norman Broadbent chair transfers shares to pension plan
Professional services firm Norman Broadbent disclosed a share sale-and-purchase on Wednesday, made by its chairman and worth over £0. 2m.
FTSE 100 movers: Packaging firms, Defensive issues pace losses
Packaging specialists DS Smith and Smurfit Kappa were two of the worst performers on the top-flight index as concerns around economic growth continued to mount.
FTSE 250 movers: Future, Asos pace gains
Shares in media outfit Future paced gains on the second-tier index with traders pushing them closer towards technical resistance around the 2,000. 0p level.
London close: Stocks mixed after another UK inflation record
London stocks closed in a mixed state on Wednesday, as investors reacted to yet another record for consumer inflation in the UK.
Thursday preview: ECB meeting in the spotlight
All eyes on Thursday will be on the European Central Bank's policy announcement.
MyHealthChecked flags 'stronger than expected' first half
Home-testing healthcare company MyHealthChecked said in an update on Wednesday that trading in its first half was stronger than expected, and ahead of management budgets.
Finsbury Food delivers 'robust' full-year performance
Finsbury Food Group said in a trading update on Wednesday that it delivered a “robust” performance in the financial year just ended, in line with market expectations, while also “managing and adapting” to “exceptional” macroeconomic and inflationary headwinds.
Botswana Diamonds ups stake in Maibwe joint venture
Botswana Diamonds announced the acquisition of an additional stake in the prospective Maibwe joint venture in Botswana on Wednesday.
Chariot reports 'material upgrades' to Morocco portfolio
Chariot announced the results of independent assessments on its gas resources offshore Morocco on Wednesday, incorporating the results of the recent successfully-drilled Anchois-2 appraisal and exploration well.
Metals Exploration gold sales down slightly in Q2
Philippines-focussed gold producer Metals Exploration reported 14,992 ounces of gold sold in its second quarter on Wednesday, at an average realised price of $1,858 per ounce.
Intelligent Ultrasound tech added to new GE machine
Artificial intelligence (AI) software and simulation company Intelligent Ultrasound announced on Wednesday that GE Healthcare has incorporated its ‘ScanNav’ real-time AI technology into its new Voluson Expert 22 ultrasound machine.
German government set to take 30pc stake in Uniper
Further details on the rescue plan for German energy firm Uniper were unveiled on Wednesday, with the federal government set to take a stake of 30% in the company.
Geographical scope of military operations will change if Kyiv gets long-range weaponry, Lavrov says
The geographical scope of Moscow's 'special military operation' will expand even further beyond the current front line if the West supplies Kyiv with long-range weaponry, Russia's foreign minister said.
Citi downgrades Quilter to 'neutral'
Citi has downgraded Quilter, the wealth management firm, after cutting its half-year forecasts.
US existing home sales fall for fifth straight month in June
Home selling activity in the US fell back for a fifth month in a row in June amid a continued decline in affordability.
Royal Mail Q1 revenues slump 11.5%
Postal service Royal Mail said on Wednesday that revenues had sunk 11. 5% year-on-year during the first quarter of its trading year, reflecting weakening retail trends, lower test kit volumes, and a return to a structural decline in letters.
Broker tips: Entain, Quilter
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on bookmaker Entain from 2,060. 0p to 1,950. 0p on Wednesday, stating there was still value in the shares despite the company's "weaker" second-quarter trading performance.