Market Pulse
London midday: Stocks fall as UK wage growth slows, oil prices decline
London stocks were in the red on Wednesday as data showed UK wage growth slowed more than expected and as oil prices hit new lows.
Russian ruble hits record low versus dollar
The Russian ruble weakened to a record low versus the greenback on Wednesday, amid a renewed slide in crude oil prices.
UK employment hits highest level in half a century in November
The ranks of the employed in Britain reached their highest level since at least nearly half a century ago in the quarter to the end of November, although one measure of wage growth disappointed again - leaving economists divided on the inflation outlook in its wake.
Zurich Insurance tumbles after profit warning
Shares in Zurich Insurance tumbled on Wednesday after the company said it expects to take a big hit from the winter storms in the UK.
Taliban storms Pakistan university, leaving at least 21 dead
Gunmen stormed a university in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, leaving at least 21 people dead - four of them security guards - and dozens wounded.
Asia: Japan closes in bear market as oil prices tumble below $28
Japan’s Nikkei index closed in a bear market on Wednesday and other Asian stocks declined as oil price hit new lows and as concerns about China’s flagging economy escalated.
JD Wetherspoon warns profits will be at lower end of forecasts
JD Wetherspoon said like-for-like sales improved in the first 12 weeks of the second quarter but that operating margins would be 1. 1% lower than the same period last year due to increased labour costs.
Investec downgrades BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Ferrexpo
Investec cuts its ratings on BHP Billiton, Ferrexpo and Anglo American and slashed its price targets, as it took a look at the mining sector, downgrading its commodity price forecasts.
Diploma sales remain resilient but currencies soften up margins
Diploma's revenues were up 6% in the first quarter due to strong currency headwinds but profit margins were weaker than the same period last year due to weakening of the Canadian and Australian dollars.
Hochschild Mining beats production targets
Hochschild Mining confirmed a strong production year in 2015 after extracting 9. 4m silver equivalent ounces in the final quarter, also confirming that its all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of between $13 and $14.
Polymetal enters first stage of Russian gold JV
Polymetal International has entered into the first stage of a joint venture with OJCS Polyus Gold to advance the development of the Nezhdaninskoye gold deposit in Yakutia, Russia.
London open: Stocks decline as oil reaches fresh 12-year low
UK stocks declined on Wednesday as oil prices reached a fresh 12-year low, falling below $28 per barrel.
Europe open: Stocks drop sharply on weak Asian cues as oil prices slide
European stocks fell sharply in early trade, taking their cue from a downbeat Asian session as oil prices resumed their slide.
Anglo American agrees to sell Callide coal mine
Anglo American has agreed to sell its 100% interest in the Callide thermal coal mine in Queensland, Australia, to Batchfire Resources for an undisclosed sum.
BHP Billiton cuts iron ore production guidance in wake of Samarco
BHP Billiton maintained full year guidance for oil, copper and coal but iron ore production is expected to be reduced by 10m tonnes due to the dam disaster at Brazil's Samarco.
Pets at Home third quarter sales a touch better than expected
Pet supplies retailer Pets at Home posted slightly better-than-expected sales for the third quarter, along with a rise in total revenue growth.
Fresnillo full year gold production beats guidance, silver at top end
Gold and silver miner Fresnillo said full year silver output was at the top end of its guidance while gold production surpassed its estimates and the miner now plans to increase its 2016 production.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower on weak Asian cues as oil slides
London stocks are expected to open lower on Wednesday, taking their cue from a downbeat session in Asia amid sliding oil prices.
Wednesday newspaper round-up: Facebook, Post Office, steelmakers
Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook is set to urge Europe to create a “pro-innovation” environment unhampered by “poorly designed regulation,” in the latest warning from Silicon Valley that the continent is cutting itself off from the digital revolution. Speaking to the Financial Times before the annual gathering of the world’s political and business elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ms Sandberg urged policymakers to avoid impeding “progress”, such as by adopting laws that block Silicon Valley’s innovations.