Market Pulse
US close: Plethora of data ahead of Thanksgiving
US traders had a plethora of economic data to digest on Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Commodities: Oil retreats, base metals continue recovery run
Oil benchmarks shed overnight risk driven gains to trade lower on Wednesday, while base metal futures extended the previous session’s recovery.
Market overview: Homebuilders gain ahead of Autumn statement
0835: Stocks have started the morning higher following yesterday´s late recovery on Wall Street. Shares of homebuilders are in the lead ahead of the Chancellor´s Autumn statement, with the sector expected to be in focus. A raft of US economic data is scheduled for release later in the session ahead of the Thanksgiving break. Brent futures are down 1% on profit-taking afetr recent gains on comments from Saudi and, perhaps, geopolitical worries in the Middle East, the world´s key producing region.
FX Roundup: Greenback in mixed fortunes following raft of data
The dollar saw mixed fortunes against major currency crosses on Wednesday, following the publication of a raft of macroeconomic data ahead of the US Thanksgiving Holiday stateside.
Broker tips: Anglo American, London-listed recruiters
Anglo American was under pressure after HSBC downgraded the stock to ‘reduce’ from ‘hold’ and slashed the price target to 410p from 770p as it pointed to the miner’s precarious cash flow situation.
London close: FTSE boosted by housebuilding stocks after Autumn Statement
The FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday with housebuilding stocks leading the way after Chancellor George Osborne announced measures to support the sector in his joint Spending Review and Autumn Statement.
Europe close: Equities rally as geopolitical tensions abate briefly
European equities rallied on Wednesday, extending earlier gains as investors shrugged off strained relations between Russia and Turkey.
(Final Update) Autumn Statement: Osborne benefits from forecast increases
In his autumn statement to parliament on Wednesday, Chancellor George Osborne said he would continue to reduce the deficit, increase spending and make a big U-turn on tax credits, thanks to improved growth and tax forecasts.
Greenko confirms plans to return cash to shareholders and to delist from AIM
Clean energy company Greenko Group PLC said it will return funds to shareholders after the sale of its operating assets confirmed it plans to delist from AIM.
Thursday preview: Thanksgiving means quiet day for traders
Thanksgiving in the US will mean a quiet day of trading on Thursday, with little in the way of economic data and a few company earnings releases.
(Update) Autumn Statement: Osborne boosts housing, transport and NHS in spending review
In his first spending review for five years, Chancellor George Osborne confirmed the government will deliver a budget surplus by 2019, as he announced £12bn of welfare savings would be delivered in full.
FTSE 100 movers: Housebuilders rally on spending review; Anglo slumps on downgrade
London’s FTSE 100 was up 1% to 6,340. 12, with housebuilders leading the charge as investors cheered Chancellor George Osborne’s new plans for the sector.
US new home sales surge in October
Sales of new single-family detached homes surged past expectations in October, official data published on Wednesday showed.
US services sector reaches seven-month high in November
The US services sector expanded at the fastest pace in seven months in November, a widely followed survey showed on Wednesday.
Findel first half loss narrows but revenue slips
Home shopping and education company Findel posted a narrower loss for the first half of the year, although revenue nudged lower as the Express Gifts division performed below expectations.
Autumn Statement: Chancellor predicts 2.4% UK GDP growth in 2015
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne predicted the UK economy will grow by 2. 4% in 2015-16, in his autumn statement to parliament on Wednesday.
US consumer confidence revised upward in November
US consumers were slightly more confident than expected in November, data released on Wednesday showed.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Long term look at Compass Group
The newspaper pundits were not quite on the same page when it came to what to do with Compass Group.
US open: Equities edge higher after raft of economic reports
US stocks edged slightly higher early on Wednesday as Wall Street digested a deluge of economic reports.
FTSE 250 movers: Thomas Cook leads market as it returns to profit
The Government’s autumn statement and spending review didn’t do anything to stop the FTSE 250 start to reverse the week’s falls.