Market Pulse
US close: Stocks end lower after weaker-than-expected ADP report
US stocks fell on Wednesday as investors digested a softer-than-expected reading on the health of the labour market.
Europe close: Markets end lower as oil continues wild ride
Markets in Europe ended Wednesday lower, after a slew of corporate reports in the morning and a number of key data measures from Europe and the US.
London close: Stocks fall after mixed batch of data
London stocks dropped on Wednesday as investors weighed mixed economic data.
Venture Life widens full year losses
Consumer self-care products company Venture Life Group on Wednesday said it widened its 2015 losses as costs rose.
FTSE 250 movers: Strong sales lift Wetherspoon while Virgin Money falls
The FTSE 250 was treading just below the line in afternoon trading on Wednesday, with a number of corporate announcements .
C4X Discovery appoints Dix as CEO
Drug discovery and development company C4X Discovery Holdings on Wednesday announced the appointment of Clive Dix as chief executive with immediate effect.
FTSE 100 movers: Next surges while Randgold slides
The FTSE 100 was in the red in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as investors reacted to worse-than-expected UK .
Broker tips: Next, Morrisons
Numis reiterated an ‘add’ rating and target price of 5,750p for Next after the retailer reported its first quarter trading update.
US open: Stocks fall as private payrolls report misses estimates
US stocks fell on Wednesday after a report showed the nation’s private sector added fewer jobs than expected in April.
US service sector activity growth at three-month high in April
Markit’s final US business services purchasing managers’ index printed at 52. 8 in April, up from 51. 3 in March and ahead of consensus estimates for a reading of 52. 1.
RBS sees slowdown in UK, preparing for various EU referendum scenarios
Royal Bank of Scotland said on Wednesday that it has seen signs of a slowdown in investment and in retail sales in the UK, with overall growth likely to be a little slower than was expected last year.
US trade deficit narrows as imports slide
The US trade deficit hit its lowest level in 16 months in March as imports fell the most in seven years.
Thursday preview: Sage and BT Group report results
Software company Sage is expected to report growth in its first half interims on Thursday, supported by an increase in sales and foreign exchange improvements.
US private sector adds fewer jobs than expected in April
The US private sector added fewer jobs than expected in April, data released on Wednesday showed.
LSE tumbles as ICE says it won't be making an offer
London Stock Exchange shares tumbled on Wednesday after Intercontinental Exchange said it has no intention of making a buyout bid for the London-listed company.
CLS Holdings completes Swedish exit
CLS Holdings completed its exit from Swedish property on Wednesday, netting SEK 590m for Vänerparken in Vänersborg.
Electra Private Equity posts strong first-half returns
Electra Private Equity looked to be sitting on solid foundations on Wednesday, as it claimed strong returns in its first half.
Carillion tells shareholders to expect a good year
Carillion reassured investors at its annual general meeting on Wednesday, saying it has traded in line with internal expectations in the year-to-date.
Europe midday: Stocks fall amid earnings avalanche
European stocks fell on Wednesday as investors waded through an avalanche of corporate news and some disappointing Eurozone retail sales figures.
London midday: Stocks fall after worse-than-expected UK construction PMI
London stocks were under pressure on Wednesday as a report showed UK construction activity slowed more than expected in April.