Market Pulse
December FOMC could well be the time to raise rates, minutes show
When US rate-setters last met to decide on policy, they decided on unexpected changes to the wording of their policy statement because they thought their 15-16 December meeting "could well be" the moment to raise interest rates, the minutes of their conversations revealed.
Sector movers: Airline, travel stocks tumble as miners recover
Airline, travel and leisure stocks tumbled on Wednesday, but parity was restored courtesy an uptick in mining stocks.
Commodities: Oil fluctuates within $2 range, metals hit new low
Metal futures hit fresh lows on Tuesday, while oil benchmarks stayed within range of recent levels hounded by oversupply concerns.
European state chequebooks to remain closed after Paris attacks
Suggestions that European governments are about to open the security spending floodgates in the wake of the Paris attacks were rubbished on Wednesday.
Thursday preview: Johnson Matthey, Mothercare to publish interims
Thursday was scheduled to be another light day when it came to fresh economic data, although a barrage of second-tier reports Stateside might still liven things up in the afternoon.
London close: Stocks edge higher buoyed by bottom-fishing in miners
The top flight index edged higher, with investors brushing off hawkish remarks from a spate of US central bankers ahead of the release of the minutes of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting in October.
FX Roundup: Dollar strengthens further ahead of Fed minutes
The dollar continued its uptick against the yen on Wednesday for a third successive session, and strengthened against other major global currency crosses as the market awaited release of minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting.
Europe close: Stocks move south as geopolitical tension weigh on sentiment
European equity markets edged lower on Wednesday, as the latest developments in Paris weighed on sentiment, while investors looked ahead to the minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s October meeting.
Wednesday relief cold comfort for Glencore
Mild relief for investors in Glencore came on Wednesday, after the mining and commodities company put a stop to its slump.
AdEPT Telecom directors exercise options to increase stake
AdEPT Telecom directors have increased their stake in the company as they exercise a number of options.
Rugby legend Jonah Lomu dies aged 40
The rugby world was left mourning on Wednesday, with the news that New Zealand international player and general legend of the game Jonah Lomu had died, aged 40.
FTSE 100 movers: Hikma's FDA concerns alleviated; market self-corrects Smiths
After a dip in early trading, the FTSE 100 crawled back into positive territory, with the market sitting at 6,271. 61 by mid-afternoon Wednesday, up 2. 85 points (0. 05%).
UK gender pay gap narrows, but only just
The gender pay gap among full-time workers in Britain narrowed in 2015, but only just, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.
Broker tips: Antofagata, Kaz Minerals, Rolls Royce, Hunting
Goldman Sachs upgraded Antofagasta to ‘neutral’ from ‘sell’ with an unchanged price target of 440p, saying the risk/reward is now balanced.
FTSE 250 movers: Hunting shines after Goldman note; Esure slips on downgrade
London’s FTSE 250 index was flat at 17,087. 87, with investors erring on the side of caution ahead of the FOMC minutes later as they keep an eye on developments in France.
Agriterra inks cocoa beans trading agreement
AIM-listed pan-African agricultural company Agriterra said its wholly-owned Sierra Leone-based Tropical Farms Ltd cocoa business has signed a trading agreement with an unnamed natural, organic and specialty foods company.
US open: Stocks advance ahead of Fed minutes despite mixed housing data
US equity markets gained ground early on Wednesday, as investors awaited the release of the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting.
Hollande calls for larger coalition to combat ISIS
French president Francois Hollande called on Wednesday for a larger coalition to combat Islamic state.
US would co-operate with Russian military if it shifts its focus to Isis
If Russia shifts the focus of its strategy in Syria to Islamic State then the US would be willing to cooperate with Moscow on an intensified military campaign, the US president said on Wednesday.
Goldman upgrades Antofagasta, KAZ Minerals following underperformance
Goldman Sachs upgraded Antofagasta to ‘neutral’ from ‘sell’ with an unchanged price target of 440p, saying the risk/reward is now balanced.