Market Pulse
SOVA Capital hires Steven Woolley as new head of compliance
Sova Capital has moved to beef-up it top ranks, hiring several well-known names in the City as it prepares to expand its geographical footprint.
US close: Stocks close higher on hopes of US-China trade deal
US stocks closed higher on Wednesday amid signs of improving trade relations between the US and China, with much of the attention being focussed back on this side of the pond.
Thursday preview: ECB, Ocado in focus
Barring a surprise in Wednesday evening's no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Theresa May, which she is expected to overcome, the market spotlight is expected to shift towards the other side of the Channel, where rate-setters in Frankfurt are set to meet to decide on monetary policy.
Broker tips: Alfa Financial, Eurocell
Analysts at Berenberg upgraded software outfit Alfa Financial to 'hold' on Wednesday, noting that after a "disappointing year", the risks to the firm's profit and loss was being priced-in as a result of its recent share price weakness.
Canaccord lowers price target on Eurocell after heightened costs offset sales growth
Canaccord Genuity lowered its target price on UPVC supplier Eurocell on Wednesday after higher manufacturing and distribution costs offset its "solid double-digit" sales growth seen in the second half of the year.
London close: Shares bounce alongside the pound ahead of no-confidence vote
London-listed shares extended their recent bounce on Wednesday amid signs of improving Sino-US relations, with the FTSE 100 firmly in the green and the pound bouncing back, although it remained near its recent lows, as investors mulled news of Theresa May's leadership challenge.
Director dealings: TalkTalk chairman ups stake
TalkTalk chairman Charles Dunstone purchased 313,322 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed telecoms outfit.
Italy PM Conte seeks budget breakthrough as Salvini repositions on EU
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is seeking to present revised budget figures in order to end a deadlock with the European Commission in a meeting on Wednesday, a source told Reuters.
Germany willing to extend EU rights to UK banks to avoid disorderly Brexit
Germany is attempting to avoid a disorderly Brexit that will generate market turmoil in Europe by offering a last minute lifeline to UK banks and allowing them to maintain their EU rights after the divorce.
FTSE 100 movers: WPP rallies on upgrade; Wood Group and Sainsbury's slump
London's FTSE 100 was up 1. 2% to 6,891. 07 in afternoon trade as investors awaited the outcome of Theresa May's confidence vote.
Augean mothballing loss-making East Kent incinerator
Specialist waste management business Augean updated the market on the review of its East Kent High Temperature Incinerator on Wednesday, which it said was now complete.
Seeing Machines partners with L3 Commercial Aviation
Computer vision technology company Seeing Machines has partnered with airline pilot training solutions provider L3 Commercial Aviation to deliver integrated eye tracking capabilities into L3’s ‘Full Flight Simulator’ (FFS), it announced on Wednesday.
UKOG acquiring Solo Oil's share of PEDL331 licence
UK Oil & Gas announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a binding heads of terms with Solo Oil to acquire their 30% shareholding in the PEDL331 onshore Isle of Wight licence.
National Grid appoints Andy Agg as new CFO
National Grid has appointed Andy Agg as chief financial officer with effect from 1 January 2019.
Directa Plus to raise £4m in placing, open offer
Graphene-based products supplier Directa Plus announced plans on Wednesday for a share placing and open offer to raise around £4m, the net proceeds of which will be used to up investment to drive growth.
US CPI slows in November as expected
The cost of living in the US declined last month, as expected, as energy price inflation ebbed.
Berenberg upgrades Alfa Financial following 'difficult year'
Analysts at Berenberg upgraded software outfit Alfa Financial to 'hold' on Wednesday, noting that after a "disappointing year", the risks to the firm's profit and loss was being priced-in as a result of its recent share price weakness.
US open: Dow surges 324 points at the bell amid signs of improving US-Sino relations
The Dow surged more than 320 points at the open on Wednesday amid signs of improving trade relations between the US and China.
Norway's DNO confirms 152p a share takeover bid for Faroe Petroleum
DNO has confirmed its 152p per share cash offer for Faroe Petroleum.
Ariana Resources to begin diamond drilling at Kizilcukur
Gold exploration and development company Ariana Resources updated the market on resource development activities at its wholly-owned Kizilcukur Gold Project on Wednesday.