Market Pulse
US close: Stocks gain as UK inflation picks up in November
US stocks finished higher on Tuesday after data showed an improvement in inflation ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
Sector movers: Oil price rise improves London market fortunes
Resource stocks remained under pressure on Tuesday, but an uptick in oil prices alongside a strong performance by financial services stocks saw the London market close proceedings on a positive note.
Commodities: Oil futures extend recovery run, metals head lower
Oil futures registered further upticks on Tuesday, extending gains made late in the previous session, even though Brent continues to lurk near seven-year lows.
Pressure Technologies weathering oil and gas storm, keeps divi
Pressure Technologies saw its full-year operating profits almost halved as a result of the storm in oil and gas markets, but the directors of the company expressed confidence in the group´s outlook.
Europe close: Stocks and oil bounce back
European stocks staged a powerful bounce as oil prices recovered, with investors looking to the start of the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting.
Castleton Technology expects to maintain organic growth, shares drop
Castleton Technology reported strong organic growth at the half-year stage and successful completion of a barrage of corporate measures.
London close: FTSE ends on high note after UK and US inflation improves
The FTSE closed 2. 25% higher on Tuesday to 6,018 points after data showed improvement in UK and US inflation.
Interest rates held at near-zero for longer than we anticipated, says Bernanke
Former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday said he never thought interest rates would have been held at near-zero for nearly a decade.
ECO Animal Health Group's executives cash in
After a strong set of first half results, ECO Animal Health Group’s chief executive and executive director are cashing in all their shares for a pre-Christmas bonus.
FX Roundup: Dollar rises as Fed begins interest rate deliberations
The dollar rose against a basket of global currencies on Tuesday, as the US Federal Reserve began its two-day policy meeting where it is tipped to raise interest rates by 25 basis points.
Astrazeneca completes disposal of Entocort
AstraZeneca has received a $380m payment from Irish competitor Perrigo as the FTSE 100 company completed the disposal of right for a Crohn's disease medicine.
US open: US stocks in the black as oil prices rebound; Fed decision eyed
US stocks rose on Tuesday as oil prices recovered and investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement.
FTSE 250 movers: Broker notes spur on big movers
The FTSE 250 looks to finish the day in the green, with the second-tier market up 228. 85 point (1. 36%) to 17,001. 42 mid-afternoon Tuesday.
US housebuilder confidence nudges down in December
Sentiment among US housebuilders remained fairly flat in December.
Polls show Brexit support grows ahead of EU referendum
Two polls on the UK's membership of the European Union suggested growing support for a 'Brexit' in a referendum that could be held next year, which could ramp up levels of market volatility in coming months.
FTSE 100 movers: Old Mutual rebound continues
The FTSE was on track to reverse Monday’s losses, with the blue chip market up 124. 93 points (2. 13%) mid-afternoon Tuesday to 5,998. 99 points.
Plethora Solutions recommends GBP96m Regent Pacific offer
Plethora Solutions, which is developing a treatment for premature ejaculation, has agreed on a takeover by Hong Kong-listed Regent Pacific that values the AIM company at roughly £96m or 11. 65p per share.
Factories hire fewer workers in part of US mid-Atlantic region in December
Manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic region of the US was slightly less weak in December, but hiring fell off notably, according to one widely-followed gauge for the sector.
BTG rallies as RBC hails long-term growth prospects
RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage of specialist pharmaceutical company BTG at ‘outperform’ with a price target of 820p, saying it should be a long-term holding.
Wednesday preview: Fed set to raise interest rates for first time in nine years
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates on Wednesday for the first time in nearly a decade.