Market Pulse
US close: Stocks gain after FOMC meeting minutes
US stocks ended higher after minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest meeting showed several policymakers argued against an interest rate hike in April.
Sector Movers: Pharma stocks pull London market back to positive turf
An uptick in pharmaceutical stocks on Wednesday, in tandem with an oil price rise ensured that headline London indices ended back up in positive territory.
Commodities: Oil futures rise on US inventory data, Kuwaiti comments
Oil futures reversed declines on Wednesday, following bullish comments from OPEC member Kuwait and an unexpected decline US crude inventories.
FX Roundup: Yen's movement dominates currencies market
The yen surged against major crosses on Wednesday for a third successive session on the preferred carry trade currency’s safe haven status, despite less than convincing economic data from Japan.
Europe close: Markets close higher ahead of Fed minutes
European stocks ended the day in the black on Wednesday, having traded choppily throughout the day, as investors rode higher oil prices and encouraging data releases from China and Germany ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes due in the evening.
London close: Stocks jump on gains in big pharma and rally in oil prices
London stocks advanced on Wednesday as oil prices regained strength and investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, which were due out later in the day.
Europe midday: Stocks waver as focus shifts to Fed minutes
European stocks wavered, giving up some earlier gains despite a rebound in oil prices and some encouraging data releases from China and Germany, as investors looked to the minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting.
FTSE 100 movers: Pharmas rally but Glencore slides on sale
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 6% to 6,124. 61 at 1410 BST as investors looked ahead to the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting.
Findel climbs on back of Morgan Stanley buying
Shares in Findel have attracted interest from shareholders in recent months, with Morgan Stanley the latest institution to take a position in what has long seemed an uninspiring home shopping and education company.
Morgan Stanley expects more capex cuts in Oil&Gas, downgrades Rotork
Cuts to capital expenditure budgets in the Oil&Gas space had only just begun and were beginning to filter through from the ‘Upstream’ segment into Mid and Downstream activities, Morgan Stanley said.
Chapel Down appoints Mike Harvey as director
Chapel Down has appointed Mike Harvey as a corporate director with immediate effect.
US competition authorities move to block Halliburton's bid for Baker Hughes
US authorities filed a lawsuit to block Halliburton's bid for rival Baker Hughes.
Director dealings: Big sale at Auto Trader, modest incentive for 32Red COO
The bid director deals of the day were undoubtedly the huge profits taken by Auto Trader's main executive management team a year after the company was spun out by the Guardian Media and Apax Partners.
TomCo Energy appoints Christopher Brown as CEO
Oil exploration firm TomCo Energy has appointed Christopher Brown as chief executive officer.
Paternoster Resources appoints Amanda van Dyke as non-exec director
AIM-listed Paternoster Resources has appointed specialist fund manager Amanda van Dyke as a non-executive director of the company.
Keywords Studios agrees to buy remaining stake in Kite Team
Technology services provider Keywords Studios rallied on Wednesday after saying it has agreed to buy the remaining 50% stake in gaming business Kite Team that it does not already own.
LGO Energy mobilises second rig at Goudron
LGO Energy was pressing ahead with the restoration of production at Goudron Field in Trinidad on Wednesday, moving a second rig to join current operations at the site.
Styles & Wood profits thanks to strong demand for fit-outs and refurbs
Final results from property refurbishment and office fit-out services group Styles & Wood show it lifted underlying profits 55% last year and now has a bulging order book as it enjoys various beneficial trends in 2016.
HSBC, RBS and Barclays said to plan 400 branch closures this year
HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays are reportedly set to close 400 UK branches this year.
Moneysupermarket set to keep growing quicker than analysts expect, Credit Suisse says
Moneysupermarket. com was set to keep growing its sales quicker than most analysts expected, Credit Suisse said.