Market Pulse
FTSE 250 risers: Oil prices and volatile China sees shares drop
The FTSE 250 was left sitting in a puddle by mid-afternoon Wednesday, down 184. 25 points (1. 07%) at 17,020. 78.
Central Asia Metals thrives despite low copper prices
A weaker Kazakh currency and increased efficiency made for a positive end to 2015 at Central Asia Metals, despite the low price climate for copper.
Weekly US gasoline stockpiles jump sharply, oil slumps
US crude stockpiles fell sharply in the latest reference week, according to fresh estimates from the Energy Information Administration, but those of distillates and gasoline easily dwarfed that contraction.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners drive down blue chip market
The FTSE 100 had dropped 86. 42 points (1. 41%) by mid-afternoon Wednesday, down to 6,050. 82 points.
US services ISM edges lower in December
Levels of activity in US services cooled slightly in December according to the most widely-followed gauge for that sector.
US trade deficit narrows in November
The US trade deficit fell to its lowest level in nine months in November, according to the data released by the Commerce Department.
US open: Stocks fall amid oil slump, geopolitical tensions
US stocks fell on Wednesday as a better-than-expected private payrolls report was offset by a tumble in oil prices, geopolitical tensions and China worries.
Brent falls below $35, analysts eye Iranian exports and gepolitical tensions
Oil futures were again probing their 2015 lows on Wednesday with an unexpected move by China’s central bank to weaken their currency a tad – amid recent ructions in the country’s stock markets – apparently acting as a catalyst.
Market expectations for rate hikes in 2016 too low, Fed's Fischer says
Rate-setters Stateside don’t know enough at the moment to gauge how many interest rate increases will be necessary this year, but they think that market expectations for just two [25 basis point] hikes in 2016 “is too low,” the central bank’s number two policy-maker said.
BT and TalkTalk broadband pricing appeals to be referred to CMA
After BT and TalkTalk appealed against telecom regulator Ofcom's ruling on superfast broadband charges, the matter has been referred to the the Competition and Markets Authority.
German officials warn over scapegoating after mass public assaults
German leaders have warned over linking suspects to refugees following a series of seemingly coordinated sexual assaults on women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve.
US pre-open: North Korea and oil prices give US markets the jitters
US stock futures were set to plunge on Wednesday, hit by falling oil prices and tensions over North Korea.
Treasury making moves to offload part of B&B
The Treasury was preparing to offload part of former mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley on Wednesday, in what could be the biggest ever sale of finance assets in the United Kingdom.
Caledonia Mining's Blanket mine exceeds expectations
Caledonia Mining said its final production results for 2015 were higher than expected thanks to the Blanket mine in Zimbabwe, of which it holds a 49% stake.
JPMorgan downgrades HSBC on rising emerging market credit risk
JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded HSBC to 'underweight' from 'neutral' as it sees the Asia-focused bank underperform peers due to the increasing probability of worsening credit in emerging markets.
No Plan B for ECB stimulus, says Praet
European Central Bank member Peter Praet said in a magazine interview that there is no “plan B” to the bank’s current stimulus programme.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: A good opportunity to snap up Next
Despite a worrying set of Christmas trading results from Next on Tuesday, The Times’ Tempus is recommending traders ‘buy long term’.
Velocys appoints David Pummell as CEO
Velocys announced the appointment of David Pummell as chief executive officer with immediate effect.
Europe midday: Resources pace the decline as China worries grow
European stocks fell on Wednesday, with basic resources pacing the decline following another batch of disappointing data from China and amid rising geopolitical tensions.
London midday: Equities slide as UK services PMI disappoints, oil prices slide
UK equities on Wednesday were weighed down by disappointing data on the services industry, a slump in oil prices and geopolitical tensions.