Market Pulse
Stocks rise across Asia ahead of Fed announcement
Stocks rose on Asian markets on Wednesday, hours before the Federal Reserve was expected to make the biggest interest rate announcement in almost a decade.
City building sale pays off for Fletcher King
A low-rise City of London building led to a high-rise interim result for Fletcher King on Wednesday.
Miners rated the year's biggest FTSE 100 losers in HL report
Mining stocks were among the biggest FTSE losers this year after the plunge in commodity prices, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.
WPP's Sudler & Hennessey buys majority stake in System Analytic
Media group WPP’s wholly-owned operating company, Sudler & Hennessey, has acquired a majority stake in System Analytic for an undisclosed sum.
Bonmarche tumbles on profit warning, CEO exit
Shares in women’s value retailer Bonmarche tumbled as the company warned over its full year profits and said chief executive Beth Butterwick was stepping down.
Core Eurozone inflation slips in November
Consumer level inflation in the euro area edged higher in November, even as the slide in energy prices abated.
PBoC sees China growth slowing to 6.8% next year
Economic growth in the world’s second-largest economy is expected to slow to 6. 8% in 2016 from 6. 9% this year, according to the People’s Bank of China.
Work Group confirms poor first half
A disappointing start to 2015 was confirmed at Work Group, with the publication of its first half results on Wednesday.
The People's Operator on track to hit subscriber targets
The People’s Operator said it is on track to achieve its target of 69,000 subscribers before the end of the year, as well as cautiously expanding the in the US.
Investec downgrades William Hill as it highlights weak football results
Investec downgraded William Hill to ‘sell’ from ‘add’ and cut the price target to 323p from 333p following recent share price strength.
HSBC cuts price on Burberry, retains 'buy' rating
HSBC has cut its target price on fashion label Burberry from 1,800p to 1,500p while retaining its ‘buy’ rating.
Pearson rallies on Exane upgrade
Educational publisher Pearson rallied after Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the stock to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’.
Eurozone manufacturers see strongest quarter in 4.5 years
Markit’s survey of manufacturing in the Eurozone showed activity rose to a 20-month high in December.
PRA will challenge foreign proposals asking smaller banks to hold more capital
The UK will challenge any attempt by international regulators to ask smaller banks to hold more capital against the residential mortgages on their books, Sky News reported.
Europe open: Stocks slip into the red as investors eye FOMC decision
European stocks slipped in early trade, reversing modest opening gains as investors opted for caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement.
London open: Stocks rise ahead of FOMC interest rate decision
London stocks advanced ahead of UK employment data and the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.
Germany´s economy accelerated into the end of the year
Economic activity in the euro area´s largest economy accelerated into the end of the year on the back of job market gains, the results of two surveys revealed.
AstraZeneca to acquire Takeda Pharmaceutical Company for drug rights
AstraZeneca will acquire the core respiratory business of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company for $575m (£382m).
New stores help propel SuperGroup's first half
Strong first half trading from SuperGroup saw positive sales growth in its half-year report on Wednesday.
BoE will act on buy-to-let mortgages, Carney says
Action wil be taken to avoid the build-up of "vulnerabilities" in the buy-to-let sector, Bank of England governor Marck Carney told the Financial Times in an interview published on Tuesday.