Market Pulse
US close: Stocks dragged lower by fall in oil prices
US stocks closed lower on Wednesday as oil prices dropped after government data showed a greater-than-expected increase in weekly US crude inventories.
Commodities: Rising dollar sinks all boats
Hawkish Fedspeak, a rising US dollar and data showing a very large jump in US oil inventories during the latest reference week took the wind out of commodity prices on Wednesday.
Sector movers: Miners buried under by rising US dollar
Miners sank to the bottom of the pile on Wednesday continued more hawkish Fedspeak weighed on commodity prices amid lower than usual trading volumes ahead of Easter.
FX round-up: Fed's Bullard, ECB's Weidmann sound hawkish note
The dollar was stronger across the board come Wednesday on the back of somewhat hawkish remarks from another Fed speaker.
Europe close: Fedspeak weighs on shares
European equity markets finished on a mixed note on Wednesday, weighed down by hawkish Fedspeak and a drop in crude oil futures, although travel-related stocks were back in the black.
Yum Brands could sell chunk of China business
Fast food giant Yum Brands was said to be considering selling a chunk of its Chinese operation on Wednesday, as part of a plan to spin-off the once rocketing division in a country infatuated with American-style takeaways.
Director dealing: John Laing FD buys ahead of dividend payout
John Laing Group finance director Patrick Bourke splashed out £137,000 worth of shares at a price of 228. 25p in the infrastructure investor, bumping up his stake as the company bumps up its dividend payouts.
London close: FTSE closes lower on falling oil prices
The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Wednesday as falling in oil prices weighed on sentiment.
Game Digital beaten up after slashing dividend
Half-time results from video games retailer Game Digital disappointed investors as the 'rebasing' to a lower dividend and shifting consumer demands outweighed the beating of profits guidance issued in January.
Wednesday newspaper share tips: Tesco, Micro Focus
A barrage of new initiatives from Tesco has helped steady the ship, but it will be some time before they yield fatter margins and the return of the dividend, the Financial Times’s Lex column said.
Thursday preview: Next unveils full year results
Fashion retailer Next expects to report an increase in full year pre-tax profit on Thursday.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners drop but travel-related stocks recover
London’s FTSE 100 index was down 0. 2% to 6,180. 92 at 1525 GMT, with miners under the cosh.
US open: Stocks drop as oil prices slide
US stocks declined on Wednesday as oil prices fell after government data showed an increase in weekly US crude inventories.
Mobile contract switching made easier under new Ofcom proposals
For UK mobile users, moving to a new contract and keeping your existing number will become quicker and easier under new rules proposed by the telecoms regulator on Wednesday.
Rates can go lower, but there are side-effects, ECB's Lautenschlaeger says
Two top Eurozone officials said interest rates in the euro area can go lower, but cautioned there were ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ to such decisions.
Barclay brothers said to consider sale of Shop Direct stake
The owners of Shop Direct, who also own the Telegraph Media Group, are reportedly looking into the sale of a stake in the online retailer.
Nomura keeps tenative 'buy' on William Hill despite profit warning
Nomura has maintained its 'buy' rating on William Hill after the bookmaker issued a profit warning due to newly introduced regulatory measures and poor sporting results.
US new home sales rise in February
Sales of new single-family homes in the US rose a touch more than expected in February, official data published on Wednesday showed.
IEA dismisses Russia-Opec oil deal as largely 'meaningless'
Oil prices dropped on Wednesday after the International Energy Agency admitted the effect of a deal among some Opec producers and Russia to freeze production could be "meaningless".
William Hill tumbles at first fence as profit warning follows 'worst Cheltenham'
In what was effectively a profit warning, William Hill has pulled up short with a disappointing first-quarter update after a loss-making Cheltenham horse racing festival and weaker than expected online performance.