Market Pulse
US close: Biotech stocks slump on likely Clinton election victory
Wall Street ended on a mixed note amid sharp falls in basic materials and biotechnology issues and as minutes of the Federal Reserve´s last policy meeting showed rate-setters had moved closer to another interest rate hike.
Fed came closer to raising rates in September, minutes show
Rate-setters in the States had moved closer to another interest rate hike, the minutes of the US Federal Open Market Committee´s last policy meeting revealed.
Europe close: Stocks little changed ahead of Fed minutes
European stocks wavered in a tight range on Wednesday but closed near their lows of the session as bond prices retreated while investors waited for the release of the latest Federal Reserve minutes later in the day, with Ericsson under the cosh after a profit warning.
Slack in US labour market greater than it might seem, Fed's Dudley says
A top US central bank official reportedly pointed to "well anchored" inflation expectations and remaining "slack" in the jobs market as two reasons why monetary policy was still easy.
Savannah Resources raises a further £800,000 via share placing
Copper, gold and lithium explorer Savannah Resources raised further equity on AIM after another share placing to fund development at its mining projects in Oman, Mozambique and Finland.
Clontarf Energy submits work programme to Ghana authorities
Clontarf Energy announced on Wednesday that, further to its announcement on 19 September, a proposed work programme on the Tano acreage offshore Ghana has been submitted to the Ghanaian authorities in Accra.
US open: Stocks mixed ahead of FOMC meeting minutes
US stocks were mixed as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes for clues on the timing on the next interest rate hike.
Director dealings: Chi-Med's Howell takes some profits
Hutchison China Meditech director Michael Howell has sold almost £270,000 worth of shares in the biopharma company.
Results round-up
Veterinary medicine supplier Animalcare Group’s revenue rose while it remains cautious over the uncertainty arisen since the Brexit vote as it took measures to hedge against currency fluctuations.
Tissue Regenix's losses widen as company pushes towards significant milestones
AIM-listed regenerative medical devices company Tissue Regenix Group’s saw operating losses widen at the interim stage even as its revenues nudged higher, although it did gain regulatory approval for its products in Europe and the US.
FTSE 250 movers: PageGroup rallies on upgrade; Domino's slides
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 5% to 17,983. 53 in afternoon trade.
Mexican factory activity jumps back in August
Factory activity jumped back in August, confirming a recovery was in place, according to some economists.
Sports Direct slumps as Cantor cuts target price
Sports Direct International was under the cosh on Wednesday as Cantor Fitzgerald cut its price target on the hold-rated stock to 260p from 320p after the company warned last week that full-year 2017 earnings would be hit by recent currency movements.
Polo Resources celebrates success at investee company
Natural resources investment company Polo Resources announced on Wednesday that Blackham Resources has reported that gold production has commenced from its 5. 1Moz Matilda Gold Project in Australia.
FTSE 100 movers: EasyJet flies higher but Lloyds drops on job cuts
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 5% to 7,037. 99 in afternoon trade.
Parliament to debate Brexit before Article 50 triggered May says no vote
The government has agreed to allow Parliament to scrutinise and debate the strategy to leave the European Union before Article 50 is triggered by the end of March next year.
EasyJet successfully issues new EUR500m bond
Low-cost airline easyJet said on Wednesday that it has priced the issue of €500m bonds maturing in October 2023 at a coupon of 1. 125%.
Thursday preview: WH Smith to report full year profit growth
WH Smith reports its full year results on Thursday, with analysts expecting solid profit growth.
Third of London pharmacies could close due to budget cuts
About a third of London’s pharmacies could close as the government aims to save about £22bn from the NHS budget.
Liberum upgrades Ashmore as emerging market sentiment improves
Liberum has upgraded Ashmore Group, removing its 'sell' rating from the emerging markets investor after final results were better than it predicted.