Market Pulse
M&C Saatchi buys US digital 'customer experience' agency MCD
Advertising creative agency M&C Saatchi has acquired a majority stake in a digital 'customer experience' agency in New York for $10m.
US consumer prices decline less than expected in February
The cost of living in the States decreased by less than expected last month, but a key gauge of price pressures printed ahead of forecasts, which might put rate-setters in the US on the spot later in the day when they unveiled their latest policy decision.
US housing starts rise more than expected in February
US housing starts rose a little more than expected in February, according to data released by the Commerce Department.
Fusionex International declares dividend
Big data analytics software developer Fusionex International has decided to pay a dividend of 2. 15p dividend, having appeared in its January results to rule this out.
WANdisco a 'buy' after narrowing full year loss
WANdisco’s ‘buy’ rating and target price at 245p were left unchanged by Investec after the software developer reported a narrower loss in 2015.
Nomura cuts Sainsbury's target price ahead of Argos bid deadline
Nomura has cut its price target on Sainsbury's ahead of Friday's bid deadline for Argos owner Home Retail, after an uneventful trading update.
Thomas Cook and TUI slump on Citigroup downgrade
Tour operators Thomas Cook and TUI were under the cosh after Citigroup downgraded both to ‘sell’ from ‘neutral’, although the bank expects solid second-quarter statements from them.
Carlsberg to focus efforts on flagging Russia market
A turnaround in Russia and a plan to return cash to shareholders were identified as key strategies by Carlsberg on Wednesday, as the ailing Danish brewer outlined plans to move the business forward.
Forbidden's video suite added to Microsoft's Azure cloud service
Forbidden Technologies said its suite of video post-production software will be made available via Microsoft's Azure cloud-based service.
Europe midday: Stocks waver ahead of FOMC announcement
European stocks wavered on Wednesday as caution set in ahead of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy announcement.
US pre-open: Wall Street poised for flat open ahead of Fed announcement
US futures pointed to a steady open on Wall Street as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s latest policy announcement.
Foxconn-Sharp deal delayed as Japan Display flounders
Taiwan electronics giant Hon Hai Precision Industry announced on Wednesday it was seeking guidance from Japan's Sharp Corporation on the latter's latest quarterly performance, as it tried to move towards finalising a planned acquisition.
IGas Energy revenue more than halves
AIM-listed oil and gas exploration and development company IGas Energy said earnings slipped as revenue in the nine months to the end of December more than halved.
Tribal Group announces rights issue as full year loss widens
Tribal Group announced a rights issue on Wednesday as it reported a wider loss for 2015.
Asia report: Markets mixed as region awaits Fed
Markets in Asia ended Wednesday mixed, following a weak finish in New York overnight, with traders holding onto their cash ahead of the US Federal Reserve decision later.
Smiths Group sales shrink less in second quarter, miss forecasts
First-half sales were lower at Smiths Group but improved in the second quarter as its medical and detection arms mostly offset the weakness engineering arm John Crane endured in oil and gas markets.
UK unemployment rate steady at 5.1% as expected
The unemployment rate in the UK was steady at 5. 1% in January, in line with economists’ expectations, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
WANdisco slides lower on cash worries
Shares in WANdisco have given up most of the bounce since January's all-time lows as the 'big data' software developer continues to gobble cash.
Justin Atkinson promoted within Kier Group board
Kier Group gave one of its directors a swift promotion on Wednesday, appointing Justin Atkinson as its senior independent director with immediate effect.
London open: Stocks advance ahead of UK Budget 2016
UK stocks advanced on Wednesday as investors awaited the details of the 2016 Budget.