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UK private sector activity drops in August for first time since early 2021
Activity levels in the UK's private sector fell over the preceding three months, marking the first decline since March 2021, a leading business lobby group said.
London close: Stocks fall sharply; shop price inflation hits fresh high
London stocks ended firmly in the red on Wednesday as investors continued to fret over the prospect of higher rates and an economic slowdown.
Europe close: Inflation worries, hawkish central banks drag stocks lower
Stocks across the Continent ended the month of August on a down note following a wobble on Wall Street after the release of a weaker-than-expected report on the state of the jobs market in the US.
Barclays sells remaining stake in South Africa's Absa in placing
Barclays said on Wednesday that it is selling its remaining 7. 4% interest in South African bank Absa in a placing.
US open: Stocks dip after weaker-than-expected ADP jobs data
Wall Street looked set to end the month on a down note following the release of a weaker-than-expected reading on the jobs market from consultancy ADP.
Chicago PMI nudges higher in August
Economic activity in the Chicago area ticked up a touch in August, according to data released on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Oil majors gush lower; Ocado rallies
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 8% at 7,301. 32 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US private sector adds fewer jobs than expected in August - ADP
The US private sector added far fewer jobs than expected in August, according to the latest data from ADP.
FTSE 250 movers: Energy shares fall; WH Smith boosted by broker note
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 3% at 19,089. 00 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Thursday preview: US weekly jobs data, Global factory PMIs in the spotlight
September will get off to a busy start in the US with the release of a barrage of economic reports, including readings for weekly jobless claims, non-farm productivity, construction spending and services sector activity.
Fed's Mester sees Fed funds rate 'somewhat above' 4 per cent in early 2023
A top US central bank official made the case for raising short-term interest rates "somewhat above" 4. 0% in early 2023 and keeping them there.
Liberum raises upside case target price for Centamin on projected savings
Analysts at Liberum raised their upside case target price for shares of Centamin to reflect the saving that could accrue from its 'in-house' underground mining, solar generation and grid electricity.
Europe midday: Stocks off intra-day lows as gas futures reverse course and retreat
Stocks across the Continent came off their intraday lows as a bounce in natural gas futures evaporated, having earlier fallen following the release of a stronger-than-expected report on euro area CPI.
Time to revisit WH Smith, says Berenberg
WH Smith was the standout gainer on the FTSE 250 on Wednesday as Berenberg encouraged investors to "revisit the story" ahead of its trading update next week, given the company's defensive growth profile and limited exposure to cost inflation.
London midday: Stocks extend losses amid inflation woes
London stocks were firmly in the red by midday on Wednesday as investors continued to fret about surging inflation and an economic slowdown.
Director dealings: Diploma chair's wife makes £64k investment
Diploma shares were trading slightly firmer on Wednesday, after the company disclosed a share purchase made by the wife of its chair.
Asia report: Stocks mixed as China's factory output contracts
Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, with China leading the losses after manufacturing data there came in above expectations, but still showed a contraction.
Fulham Shore says trading is 'resilient' despite 'turmoil' in UK economy
Fulham Shore described current trading as "resilient", adding that it was running in line with management's expectations, no thanks to the turmoil in the UK economy and recent sporadic train and tube disruptions.
Carr streamlines business through sale of agricultural supplies unit
Carr's Group sold its agricultural supplies division in order to focus on its speciality agriculture and engineering activities.
Dalata Hotel Group moves back into the black during the 1H
Dalata Hotel Group moved back into the black at the half-year stage as the business continued to recover from the pandemic.