Market Pulse
Zambeef cuts net debt and reaffirms full year expectations
Zambeef reported significant progress in reducing its net debt and said it continues to expect growth in revenues and profits for the current financial year.
US close: Stocks slip as Yellen signals December rate hike; energy sector weighs
US stocks ended lower as energy stocks declined in line with the oil price and after Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen hinted at the possibility of a rate hike in December.
Bomb may have brought down Metrojet flight 9268 over Egypt
A terrorist attack may have caused the crash of Russian airline Metrojet´s flight 9268 last weekend over the Sinai peninsula, Downing Street said.
Commodities: Oil falters, gold drops on Yellen comments
Oil futures dropped following an uptick in US crude inventories on Wednesday, while gold slipped on comments by Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen about an interest rate hike still being on cards for December.
Sector movers: Oil, mining stocks keep London market in positive mood
Gains posted by metal and oil futures earlier in the session helped commodities linked stocks keep the London market in positive territory on Wednesday.
FX Roundup: Dollar continues uptick despite mixed data
The dollar posted upticks against major currency crosses in European trading on Wednesday, extending overnight gains despite mixed US economic data.
Fed could raise rates in December, Yellen says
The Federal Reserve may raise interest rates when it meets in December if the economic data supports taking that step, the head of the central bank said on Wednesday.
Broker tips: Vesuvius, Royal Dutch Shell, Weir
Broker Panmure Gordon warned that FTSE 250-listed Vesuvius is likely to be hit by the same industry pressures as German rival SGL Carbon, which issued a profit warning on Tuesday.
Europe close: Stocks moved in tight ranges after Draghi's comments
European equity markets on Wednesday, as comments from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi were offset by some mixed data and by decline in German stocks.
London close: Stocks end higher after well-received services data
The FTSE 100 ended higher on Wednesday as investors weighed upbeat reports on the service sector in the UK, China and the US.
RBC upgrades Weir on balanced risk/reward
Weir got a boost after RBC Capital Markets upgraded its stance on the stock to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ and lifted the price target to 1,200p from 1,150p.
Vesuvius to be hit by falling graphite demand, says Panmure
Broker Panmure Gordon warned that FTSE 250-listed Vesuvius is likely to be hit by the same industry pressures as German rival SGL Carbon, which issued a profit warning on Tuesday.
Police make fourth arrest in connection with TalkTalk hack
A fourth person has been arrested in connection with the TalkTalk cyber attack.
Shell gains as Charles Stanley reiterates 'accumulate' rating
Charles Stanley reiterated its ‘accumulate’ rating on Royal Dutch Shell on Wednesday after the company said it expects increased synergies from its £40bn deal to buy BG.
China's steel output to fall in 2015 and 2016
A predicted slump in China's steel production this year and in 2016 will lessen pressure on other steelmakers around the world but should put further pressure on commodities prices.
fastjet sees dip in passengers despite network expansion
fastjet has seen a drop in passengers despite a recent expansion of its network.
US service sector grows at slowest pace in four months in October
The US service sector growth at its slowest pace in four months, figures released on Wednesday showed.
Molins executives cash in mid-week bonus
Molins’ top brass have had a healthy mid-week payday as they cash up some of their share options.
FTSE 250 movers: Oil bounce and Drax retrofit news fire mid-caps
After a strong start on Wednesday, the FTSE 250 lost momentum but by mid-afternoon was still in positive territory, helped by an oil price bounce.
US trade balance shrinks 15% in September
The US trade deficit slumped 15% in September, as imports declined because of cheaper oil prices, figures released on Wednesday showed.