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Wednesday preview: France no-confidence vote, Global services PMIs in focus
All eyes in the middle of the week will be on no-confidence votes against the French government.
US close: Stocks rangebound but S&P 500, Nasdaq hit fresh highs
US stocks finished mixed again on Tuesday with markets rangebound amid global geopolitical uncertainty and a surge in oil prices – though the S&P 500 and Nasdaq still managed to close at record highs.
Europe close: Stocks hit five-week high, oil prices surge
European stock markets rose for the fourth consecutive session on Tuesday, with strong performances in Milan and Madrid tempered by more moderate gains elsewhere amid ongoing political uncertainty in France.
London close: Stocks higher amid Korean political turmoil
London’s equity markets closed higher on Tuesday as upbeat sentiment in the retail and travel sectors buoyed investors, with the world’s attention on sudden political instability in South Korea.
South Korean president declares martial law
South Korea's president declared emergency martial law, arguing that it was needed to defend the country from communists in North Korea.
Broker tips: Ashtead, DiscoverIE, Direct Line Insurance
RBC Capital Markets upgraded equipment rental firm Ashtead on Tuesday to 'outperform' from 'sector perform' and hiked its price target on the stock to 7,450. 0p from 5,200. 0p.
AT&T targeting $40bn in shareholder returns as fibre network grows
AT&T has announced plans to distribute $40bn to shareholders over the next three years as it pursues targets to expand America's largest fibre network to 50m total locations by 2029.
FTSE 100 movers: EasyJet, oil giants gain ground
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 5% at 8,356. 50 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
Director dealings: Telecom Plus chairman raises stake
Telecom Plus revealed on Tuesday that chairman Charles Wigoder had acquired 200,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed utilities supplier.
Vianet returns to profits, reinstates dividend
Hospitality, vending and remote asset management data specialist Vianet Group reported a strong half-year financial and operational performance on Tuesday, as it returned to profitability, reinstated its interim dividend, and reaffirmed its confidence in achieving full-year growth targets.
US job openings rise to 7.74m in October
US job openings rose to 7. 74m in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, up from a downwardly revised 7. 37m in September and above market expectations for a reading of 7. 48m.
US open: Dow Jones extends losses at the bell
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Tuesday after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite registered fresh record highs in December's maiden session.
FTSE 250 movers: Double-digit gains for DiscoverIE, Victrex and SSP
The FTSE 250 was trading firmly higher on Tuesday afternoon with well-received updates from the likes of DiscoverIE, Victrex, SSP and Paragon Banking providing a big lift.
OptiBiotix to launch new range with India partner
OptiBiotix Health announced the upcoming launch of ‘SlimBiome’-containing products in India under Dr Morepen's new ‘LightLife’ brand on Tuesday.
Marston's upbeat as full-year profits rise
Pub group Marston’s reported a rise in full-year profit and revenue on Tuesday as it struck an upbeat note about the outlook.
BlackRock to snap up HPS in $12bn deal
Wall Street giant BlackRock has agreed to acquire HPS Investment Partners in a $12bn deal, it was announced on Tuesday.
On The Beach reinstates dividend, announces £25m share buyback
On The Beach surged on Tuesday after the package holiday firm reinstated its dividend and announced a £25m share buyback as it posted a rise in full-year profit and revenue.
RBC Capital upgrades Ashtead to ‘outperform’, hikes price target
RBC Capital Markets upgraded equipment rental firm Ashtead on Tuesday to ‘outperform’ from ‘sector perform’ and hiked the price target to 7,450p from 5,200p.
US pre-open: Futures muted following S&P 500's record close
Wall Street futures were pointing to a somewhat muted open ahead of the bell on Tuesday after the S&P 500 registered a fresh record close in December's maiden session.
Lexington Gold reports progress on Ventersburg Project
Lexington Gold reported progress at its Ventersburg Gold Project in South Africa's Free State Province on Tuesday, located in the Witwatersrand Basin - a region responsible for around 40% of the world’s gold production to date.