Market Pulse
US Markit services PMI at 27-month low in January
The final Markit US services business activity index fell to 53. 2 in January from a flash estimate of 53. 7 and 54. 3 in December, marking its weakest pace of growth since the current period of expansion began in late 2013.
US ISM non-manufacturing misses expectations
The Institute for Supply Management’s index of non-manufacturing activity slipped to 53. 5 in January from 55. 8 the previous month, missing economists’ expectations for a reading of 55. 1.
HMRC reforms turning regulators into 'regulatees', research shows
Reforms to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs were producing a glut of 'gamekeeper-turned-poacher' tax experts, research from the Warwick Business School and the University of Birmingham suggested on Wednesday.
Central bank may need to take tightening financial conditions into account, Fed´s Dudley says
While it was still too soon to draw any firm conclusions, the US central bank would need to take into account the tightening in financial conditions since December if they persisted into March, a top-ranking official said on Wednesday.
Investec upgraded with stable outlook by Moody’s
Ratings agency Moody's has upgraded by one notch the long-term ratings of Investec.
Analysts upbeat on Hargreaves Lansdown's outlook, but valuation seen as generous
Analysts appeared to remain generally upbeat on the prospects for Hargreaves Lansdown despite the small 'miss' by the financial products supermarket on its first half profits when compared with market expectations.
RMT recommends Night Tube offer to members
RMT’s executive has recommended members accept London Underground’s latest offer over the Night Tube and pay.
Citi cuts target on StanChart, points out correlation with oil price
Analysts at Citi on Wednesday lowered their target price on the shares of Asia-focused and commodity-exposed lender StanChart.
EKF Diagnostics kitchen-sinking will drive break-even 'by April'
Shares in EKF Diagnostics bounced off their all-time low thanks to a trading update that reiterated full-year profit guidance and emphasised its total focus on point-of-care.
Accsys closer to realising Tricoya dream
Accsys Technologies was a step closer to realising its Tricoya dream on Wednesday, with fresh interest and funding coming from BP Ventures.
Thor Mining's Spring Hill buyer gets financing
Thor Mining said on Wednesday the company buying its Spring Hill gold project for A$3. 5m has received an unconditional financing officer from a San Francisco-based precious metal private equity fund.
Thursday preview: BoE delivers policy decision, minutes and Inflation Report
The Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday when the central bank announces its latest policy decision.
Vipera to collaborate with Serco's ExperienceLab
Specialist digital financial services provider Vipera has teamed up with Serco’s ExperienceLab to collaborate on next generation mobile centric user experience design.
ADP January jobs report stronger than expected
The US private sector added more jobs than expected last month, data released on Wednesday showed.
GlaxoSmithKline provides shot in the arm with final results
GlaxoSmithKline posted full year results showing revenues increasing 6% and core earnings per share down 15%, slightly ahead of guidance, and reiterated its confidence that earnings growth would return in 2016 at double-digit levels.
GM trounces analysts´ forecasts with quarterly results
General Motors reported a sharp rise in profits for the last three months of 2015, boosted by one-offs.
US pre-open: Markets to rise on oil rebound
US markets were looking up before the open on Wednesday, as oil prices started to turn around.
Russia reiterates openness to meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries
Oil futures were bouncing back on Wednesday afternoon after Russia´s foreign minister reiterated his country was open to negotiations aimed at stabilising oil prices.
SocGen cuts Sainsbury's, says Home deal increases risk profile
Societe Generale downgraded Sainsbury’s to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and slashed the price target to 260p from 310p following the announcement of its offer for Home Retail Group.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: BP dividend a luxury for investors
Despite BP shares plummeting after its worst results is over 20 years, The Telegraph’s Questor didn’t think it was a buying opportunity.