Market Pulse
US close: Stocks drop amid sliding oil prices and geopolitical tensions
US stocks fell on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions, growing concerns about China and a slide in oil prices left investors jittery.
Sector movers: Oil slump drags resource stocks lower
Resource stocks tumbled on Wednesday following a slump in oil prices and weak macroeconomic data from China.
Commodities: Brent plummets to fresh 11-year low
Oil markets endured another bearish session on Wednesday, with the Brent front-month futures contract falling to a fresh 11-year low as oversupply concerns continued to dominate market sentiment despite geopolitical flare-ups in the Middle East.
Shire takeover bid for Baxalta hinges on tax issues, FT says
The success of Shire's bid for Baxalta hinges on whether it can avoid a stiff tax bill if a large part of the transaction takes the form of cash, instead of shares, the Financial Times reported, citing people close to the talks.
Bonds: BoA detects shift in MPC policy strategy
These were the movements in some of the most widely followed 10-year sovereign bonds:.
London close: Stocks decline after UK services PMI miss, oil prices plunge
London stocks ended lower on Wednesday as services data missed forecasts, oil prices took another tumble and geopolitical tensions grew.
Europe close: Oil drops to 2004 lows, sending shares lower
Stocks fell after disappointing data from China - amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East - and a decision by the country's central bank to slightly weaken the currency sent oil futures back to levels not seen since 2004 and weighed on commodities prices.
PureCircle pins future success on obese world
A relatively new Japan-developed sweetener was still proving a hit this week, as PureCircle revealed it was expecting a significant increase in sales this year.
Earthport flies after heavyweight FX appointment and broker tip
Earthport shares were one of the top risers in London on Wednesday, helped by the strengthening of its forex team with a heavyweight appointment and some encouraging words from a broker.
FX Roundup: Greenback pummels commodity linked currencies
Major commodity linked currencies took a hammering on Wednesday as Brent oil futures dipped to a fresh 11-year low and natural resource traders endured a torrid afternoon in Europe.
Coca-Cola faces boycott after upsetting Russia and Ukraine
Coca-Cola is facing a boycott of its soft drinks in Russia and Ukraine after causing protests with a series of errors in the maps used in its Christmas advertising campaign.
BofA Merrill pushes back call for first BoE rate hike
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has shifted back its Bank of England rate hike call from May to November 2016.
Tullow Oil well hedged for 2016 UBS says, reiterates buy
Tullow Oil is in a better position than some of its peers to withstand low oil prices thanks to its oil price hedges and current UK corporate tax legislation, a top broker said on Wednesday.
Slowing US economy and falling stocks may stay Fed's hand, TrimTabs says
America's economy continued to lose steam heading into the final strech of 2015 and should stocks also continue to fall then combined that could keep the Fed on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, TrimTabs Investment Research said on Wednesday.
US factory orders decline slightly in November
American factory orders shrank slightly in November following a large rise in the prior month, as coal and oil product orders declined.
ADP December jobs report better than expected
The US private sector added more jobs than expected last month, data released on Wednesday showed.
WYG hatching town planning plans with Signet purchase
In light of the UK's major need for housing and urban infrastructure WYG continued its expansion in the town planning sector with the acquisition of consultancy focused on London and the North of England.
Midatech hails strong 2015 as cancer drug programme accelerates
Oncology drug specialist Midatech Pharma said growth last year was more than it expected and revealed a recent acceleration of its brain cancer programmes through its selection for a paediatric compassionate use programme in the UK.
Thursday preview: M&S reports third quarter trading
Marks & Spencer reports its third quarter trading update after mild weather rattled the retailer's shares over Christmas.
Second Assura director sells large stake in company
Assura’s finance director has sold over half his stake in the primary care property investment and development company to pocket over half a million pounds.