Market Pulse
US close: Dow plunges over 150 points amid disappointing economic data
US stocks declined on Wednesday, as investors digested a disappointing reading on retail sales and a number of corporate earnings reports.
Commodities: Precious metals rally on hopes of US rate hike delay, China stimulus
Precious metals rallied on Wednesday as the dollar fell to a seven-week low on expectations the Federal Reserve will delay an interest rate hike.
Europe close: Stocks drop after weak Chinese data
European stocks fell as investors digested another round of disappointing Chinese data.
Broker tips: N Brown, ITV, Tullow Oil, Soco International
Investec on Wednesday retained its ‘hold’ rating on N Brown after the fashion and home shopping retailer reported a decline in half-year profits.
N Brown on 'hold' after half-year profit slump, Investec says
Investec on Wednesday retained its ‘hold’ rating on N Brown after the fashion and home shopping retailer reported a decline in half-year profits.
London close: Stocks drop as market weighs US retail sales, China inflation, UK jobs
London stocks dropped on Wednesday, weighed down by worse-than-expected reports on China inflation and US retail sales, while the UK labour report showed mixed progress in the jobs market.
Professional workers set for salary rise in 2016, report says
Salaries for professional occupations in the UK will grow well ahead of the current inflation rate in 2016, research has found.
Sector movers: Communications and construction drive markets down
Telecommunication sectors as well as the construction and household goods sectors were the biggest losers on Wednesday, as worries about a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy continued to undermine sentiment, following the release of disappointing Chinese inflation figures.
City Link's former directors to stand trial for redundancies failures
Directors of collapsed parcel delivery firm City Link will stand trial for failing to notify authorities of their plans to make staff redundant, according to reports.
Sovereign Mines extends talks deadline over Guinea project partnership
AIM-listed Sovereign Mines excited investors by revealing it is continuing talks with an unnamed "major third party" about becoming a partner on its Mandiana gold project in northeast Guinea.
FTSE 250 movers: Al Noor leads the way, housing stocks drop
The FTSE 250 was down 79. 98 points (0. 47%) mid-afternoon to 16,818. 05, with a weaker than expected data on Chinese consumer prices for September weighing on sentiment.
Quiet day for director dealings
Activity on the director dealings front for Wednesday was particularly quiet.
Thursday preview: Analysts see September deflation for the US
The US may have experienced deflation in September amid falling energy and food prices, according to analysts’ estimates ahead of Thursday’s official data.
US business inventories remain disappointingly flat in August
US business inventories in August fell flat for the second consecutive month, figures released on Wednesday showed.
FX roundup: Dollar drops on US retail sales, PPI; pound underpinned by jobs data
The dollar was weaker against the euro and the pound on Tuesday, sticking to a downward trend following disappointing retail sales and PPI figures, as investors readjust to the likelihood than an interest-rate hike from the Federal Reserve won’t take place this year.
Lloyds chairman says no 'compelling' argument to stay in EU
Lloyds Banking Group’s chairman said there was not any “compelling” argument for Britain to stay in the European Union unless there was a significant reform to the relationship.
FTSE 100 movers: Hargreaves Lansdown rallies; housebuilders slump
London’s FTSE 100 index was down 0. 7% to 6,296. 01 as worries about a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy continued to undermine sentiment, following the release of disappointing Chinese inflation figures.
US open: Stocks little changed amid disappointing data and mixed corporate earnings
US stocks struggled for direction early on Wednesday, as investors digested a disappointing reading on retail sales and a number of corporate earnings reports.
Equiniti prices flotation at 165-200p
Equiniti, the provider of payment technology, share registrar and share dealing services, has priced its initial public offer at a level that should see it float with a market capitalisation of £500-600m.
Twitter appoints Google's Omid Kordestani as new chairman
Twitter has poached Google's chief business officer Omid Kordestani to fill the role of executive chairman.