Market Pulse
US close: Dow slips on oil and housing data
The Dow Jones on Wednesday dropped to its lowest close since the first week of August as oil prices retreated and housing market data missed estimates.
Violent earthquake razes towns in central Italy, death toll tops 120
A violent earthquake struck central Italy early Wednesday morning, with the 6. 2-magnitude quake striking not far from Rome and razing large parts of several towns.
Headlam sales unaffected by price hikes post Brexit
The Headlam Group, a floor-covering distributor, have reported a rise in earnings despite being forced to hike prices following the aftermath of Brexit.
FX round-up: Sterling gains amid resources rout
Sterling turned in solid performances on most major crosses on Wednesday against a backcloth of falling gold and oil prices, but pundits remain wary on the British unit's future course.
Glencore to keep cutting debt, eyes return to dividend payments
Glencore held out the prospect of a return to dividend payments in 2016 as management promised to focus on delivering even lower levels of net funding and debt by the end of the year than previously indicated and provided investors with an update on its asset disposal programme.
Uranium Resources' investor Estes extends loan facility
AIM-listed explorer Uranium Resources’ major shareholder and strategic investor Estes agreed to extend the maturity of its loan facility.
One Media acquires Owl Music catalogue
One Media Group, a digital media content provider, has bought the exclusive rights and ownership of the music catalogue from Owl Records for €21,000 (£17872. 58).
London close: Miners pull equities lower as commodity prices fall
UK equities finished on the back foot on Wednesday as mining shares slumped on weak sentiment and falling commodity prices.
Project Finance Investments agrees to £13.5m loan to build student housing
Asset backed loans investor Project Finance Investments committed to a two-year loan to finance the construction of student accommodation in London.
Georgia Healthcare launches ambulatory service clluster in Tbilisi
Medical insurance and healthcare provider Georgia Healthcare launched a new ambulatory service cluster on Wednesday in Tbilisi.
Cluff Natural Resources' shares rise as it finds gas prospects in North Sea
Shares in oil and gas investor Cluff Natural Resources soared to more than 15% on Wednesday after the energy company said it identified prospective resources on its North Sea licence.
Chinese insurer Anbang plans flotation of life insurance unit
Anbang Insurance Group is in talks with banks to float its life insurance unit - despite its history of valuing its privacy - in order to obtain capital and expand the business.
Oil prices tank as US weekly crude inventories rise unexpectedly
Oil prices tanked on Wednesday after official data showed an unexpected increase in US weekly crude inventories.
Commodities: Shock US oil inventories send crude spiralling lower
Crude-oil futures were firmly under the hammer late on Wednesday as successive US inventory data shocked the market, casting a depressing pall over UK and US equities markets.
FinnAust Mining finds significant resource scale at Greenland titanium mine
Precious and base metals explorer FinnAust Mining’s shares rose as it said it found resources of significant scale at its pure Pituffik titanium mining project in Greenland.
Sportech sees sales slide at half-year stage
Profits at Sportech tumbled at the half-year stage, as sales declined at all of its three units and the company invested in its football pools business.
US open: Stocks slide on oil prices, housing data
US stocks dropped on Wednesday as oil prices fell and data on the housing market missed forecasts.
Exillon Energy provides July production update
Exillon Energy achieved record production of 14,446 barrels a day in July with average output running at 13,883b/d, the company said in a statement.
FTSE 250 movers: OneSavings leads three peers higher, Investec ragged by rand
The FTSE 250 was in positive territory by Wednesday afternoon, unlike its blue chip sister, as a gaggle of specialist banks lifted the mid-cap index 0. 25% to 18,027. 79.
FHFA flags potential significant shift in US home prices in June
A potentially significant shift might be underway in US home prices, a government agency said.