Market Pulse
London close: FTSE rises after UK jobs data as Fed rate decision looms
The FTSE 100 ended higher on Wednesday after a mixed UK jobs report and before the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
Commodities: Industrial metals buoyed by report of possible Chinese stockpiling
Industrial and precious metals' prices performed best on Wednesday, amid reports of possible Chinese stockpiling plans and on-going jitters across financial markets.
US Fed cuts view on expected pace of rate increases
US rate-setters kept policy unchanged when they met on Wednesday, but revised their estimates for the likely medium-term pace of policy tightening considerably lower.
Miners and tech lead gains
A lull in US dollar strength gave industrial metals' prices a boost, in turn sending shares of miners higher.
FX round-up: Sterling takes breather ahead of Fed's rate call
Sterling took something of a breather today ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy call tonight, when the US central bank is expected to leave the country's benchmark interest rate unchanged.
Small caps news round-up
Internet and media firm Naspers told shareholders it was finalising its provisional report for the year to 31 March on Wednesday, indicating it expected core headline earnings to be between 15% and 20% higher than last year’s 255 cents per share. The company issued a caveat, however, saying “shareholders are reminded that the board considers core headline earnings an appropriate indicator of the sustainable operating performance of the group, as it adjusts for non-recurring and non-operational items.
Bizarre Brexit boat face-off between Nigel Farage and Sir Bob Geldof
The Brexit debate took to the seas today as UKIP leader Nigel Farage squared up to Irish charity campaigner Sir Bob Geldof in a bizarre stand-off on the River Thames in London.
Brexit poll unmasked as 'hoax' by BMG Research
A Brexit poll purported to have been carried out by research firm BMG Research, which was then published in newspaper and City analysts' reports, has been dismissed as 'a hoax' by the firm.
S&P downgrades Noble Group credit rating
S&P Global has downgraded commodity trader Noble Group due to lingering concerns about its balance sheet, profit and cash flow amid the extreme volatility of its market.
Safran not plotting bid for Zafran Aersopace, report says
Safran is not preparing a bid for rival Zodiac Aerospace, Reuters reported, citing a “source familiar with the matter”.
Director dealings: Paysafe chairman Jones makes maiden payment
Paysafe Group chairman Dennis Jones bought more than £140,000-worth of shares in the provider of online payment solutions, which recently moved up to the full list and was in March added to the FTSE 250.
Buy-to-let lending plunges in April after higher stamp duty, CML reveals
Landlords borrowed less in April following the introduction of higher stamp duty on buy-to-let and second home purchases.
Aureus Mining secures $30m equity financing
Aureus Mining has secured equity financing of $30m with MNG Gold Jersey, which it said will strengthen the balance sheet and fund working capital as it completes the restart of the processing plant at the New Liberty gold mine in Liberia.
Surging avocado prices lead to Kiwi crime wave
Avocado growers were facing a crime wave in New Zealand this week, as surging local demand coupled with a poor season last year have created a black market for the fatty green berry.
Wednesday broker round-up
Arrow Global Group: Goldman Sachs reiterates buy with a target price of 340p.
US open: Stocks rise ahead of Fed interest rate decision
US stocks rose on Thursday ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
Expectations rise for ECB rate cut this year as bank-to-bank rates drop
European Central Bank president Mario Draghi is expected to cut interest rates again this year, according to traders in forward bank-to-bank lending rates.
Bank of America said to cut up to 8,000 retail jobs
Bank of America may cut up to 8,000 jobs at its consumer division as the digital banking revolution reduces the need for back office staff and bank tellers.
US industrial production drops more than expected in May
US industrial production slipped more than expected in May, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve.
Facebook denies Brexit bias in "feelings" feature
Social media giant Facebook has denied a bias in the upcoming EU referendum, after it gave users the ability to report themselves as being “in favour of leaving the EU,” but not in favour of remaining.