Market Pulse
Sector movers: Mining, oil stocks pull London market higher
Resource stocks continued their recovery run on Wednesday following an uptick in oil and metal prices, with primary London market indices ending in positive territory for a second successive session.
Commodities: Oil rebounds as WTI soars on US inventory data
Oil futures spiked on Wednesday after an unexpectedly large fall in US crude inventories sent both benchmarks higher, with the spread premium inverting in WTI’s favour.
London close: FTSE ends higher after gush of data
The FTSE 100 ended 2. 61% higher on Wednesday as traders waded through UK gross domestic product data and a surge of US economic reports.
Europe close: Bargain-hunting investors push commodities higher
European investors made a last-ditch bid to get their hands on rising commodities stocks on Wednesday, ahead of the continent's Christmas shutdowns later this week.
Broker tips: Ted Baker, Game Digital, Stagecoach
Ted Baker has had its rating cut by Jefferies to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ as mild winter weather, discounting in the US and a slowdown in Asia is expected to slow sales at the luxury fashion retailer.
Capital Management board outlines plan to go private
Liquidity issues and a lack of movement were behind a plan to de-list and wind up Capital Management and Investment as the company looks to go private.
Oxus Gold shares suspended after arbitration ruling
Shares in Oxus Gold were suspended on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday morning, as investors waited for clarification on the firm's exact financial position.
Ted Baker's rating cut to 'hold' by Jefferies
Ted Baker has had its rating cut by Jefferies to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ as mild winter weather, discounting in the US and a slowdown in Asia is expected to slow sales at the luxury fashion retailer.
Mitchells & Butlers CEO picks up some shares
Animalcare Group’s Chairman, James Lambert, dumped 54,000 shares in the veterinary medicines supplier at 222p each.
MoneySwap loss widens, debts increase
MoneySwap's finances weren't looking so hot in the six months to 30 September, with its operating loss widening despite slightly higher revenue.
US open: Stocks rally after raft of positive economic data
The US stock market was jolly on Wednesday as investors sifted through a batch of upbeat economic data before the Christmas holiday.
US new home sales rise less than expected in November
US new home sales rose less than expected in November, suggesting the housing market could be running out of steam.
EKF admits defeat with Selah acquisition
EKF Diagnostics Holdings all but admitted defeat in its experiment with personalised medicine on Wednesday, as it let go of its wholly-owned subsidiary Selah back to the founders.
Michigan consumer sentiment beats expectations in December
The University of Michigan’s final sentiment index for December rose to 92. 6 from a preliminary reading of 91. 8 and 91. 3 the previous month.
Game Digital receives downgrade from Canaccord after profit warning
Canaccord Genuity has downgraded Game Digital to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ after the company warned first half earnings would be lower than the previous year.
Just Retirement says Partnership merger to complete in Q1 2016
Just Retirement said on Wednesday that its proposed merger with Partnership Assurance Group is likely to be completed in the first quarter of next year, which is a little later than previously anticipated.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners and energy shares rally as traders go bargain-hunting
Bargain hunting appeared to be the general theme on Wednesday as investors looked to nab a good deal just ahead of the Christmas break, with volumes thinning and many traders already away from their desks.
US consumer spending and inflation rise in November
US personal income rose 0. 3% in November, having increased 0. 4% in October, according to figures released by the Commerce Department.
US durable goods orders unchanged in November
US durable goods orders were unchanged in November, according to the Commerce Department on Wednesday.
Thursday preview: Trading hours for Christmas period
Traders will be taking it easy on Christmas Eve with markets due to close early in the UK, Europe and in the US.