Market Pulse
US Federal Reserve stays put on rates, but monitoring inflation closely
Rate setters in the US chose to keep interest rates unchanged, referencing continuing risks from global economic and financial developments albeit with a small caveat, they would be closely monitoring inflation developments.
Commodities: Gold, crude oil futures gain in wake of Fed meeting
News that a meeting between several of the world's major oil producers to decide upon a freeze in output would indeed go forward stoked buying interest in crude oil futures.
US close: Stocks hit high as Fed eyes only two hikes in 2016
US stock indices closed at their highest level this year after the Federal Reserve held back from any change to interest rates and oil prices bounced back.
FX round-up: Cable slips ahead of Fed
Cable was dragged lower by US dollar strength ahead of the Fed's rate-setting meeting later in the day and in the wake of a stronger-than-expected reading on consumer prices Stateside.
Europe close: Stocks edge lower ahead of Fed meeting
European stocks wavered on Wednesday as caution set in ahead of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy announcement.
London close: Stocks rally after Osborne unveils UK Budget 2016
The FTSE 100 closed higher on Wednesday as traders examined the UK Budget 2016 and UK jobs data.
Director dealings: Dairy Farm boss adds to stake
Graham Allan, chief executive of pan-Asian retailer Dairy Farm International, has popped into the market to buy a few more shares, after buying a chunk last week.
Thursday preview: BoE expected to keep interest rates unchanged
The Bank of England is expected to stand pat on interest rates when it announces its latest policy measures on Thursday.
Wednesday broker round-up
Hikma Pharmaceuticals: Panmure Gordon upgrades to buy with a target price of 2120p.
US open: Stocks rise ahead of FOMC interest rate announcement
US stocks edged higher on Thursday as oil prices rebounded and US inflation slowed less than expected ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Legal&General, Inchcape
Worries surrounding Legal&General's capital position and future dividends appeared to be unjustified, The Times's Tempus said.
Russian energy minister confirms Doha oil meeting
Russia's energy minister confirmed on Wednesday that a meeting of OPEC members and non-OPEC nations would go ahead next month to discuss the possibility of a production freeze.
FTSE 250 movers: Tullow surges on well update; Thomas Cook slumps on downgrade
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 8% to 16,761. 14 at 1440 GMT as investors digested the UK budget and looked ahead to the Fed’s rate announcement.
Exane upgrades Great Portland as UK commercial property 'oversold'
Analysts at Exane BNP Paribas highlighted potential upside at British property specialist Land Securities, British Land and Derwent London on its confidence that the UK will vote to remain in the European Union in June.
US weekly oil inventories rise by less than analysts expected
US oil inventories increased slightly last week but product stockpiles declined, putting added upward pressure on crude futures on Wednesday afternoon.
Brazilian ex-president Lula da Silva joins government cabinet, report says
Brazilian ex-President Lula da Silva was named as the government's chief of staff in a controversial move which came amid a judicial inquiry into alleged political kick-backs and recent scandals surrounding state-owned oil giant Petrobras.
FTSE 100 movers: Budget takes wealth managers, house builders higher
The FTSE 100 was higher in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as investors digested the Chancellor's lunchtime Budget statement.
Skyepharma and Vectura agree merger; Skyepharma swings to profit
Vectura and Skyepharma have reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended merger.
US industrial production drops 0.5%
US industrial production slipped in February, but factory output edged higher, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve.
Don't chase the S&P 500, UBS technical analysts say
Technical analysts at UBS on Wednesday told clients they should not "chase" the US S&P 500 equity index or Treasury notes higher, although the US might be set to strengthen.