Market Pulse
US close: Dow closes 170 points higher despite ongoing government shutdown
US stocks carved out some gains on Wednesday, as traders shrugged off the previous day's losses despite lingering concerns about trade relations between the US and China.
US open: Stocks shrug off lingering concerns surrounding US-Sino relations
Wall Street trading began with some gains on Wednesday, as traders shrugged off the previous day's losses despite lingering concerns about trade relations between the US and China.
P&G up guidance following strong Q2
Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble has upped its full-year guidance on the back of strong sales of products ranging from skin cream to fabric softener in its last trading quarter.
Europe close:Stocks slip on ongoing trade concerns
A bounce in European stocks petered out after a top Chinese official warned of the growing risks the international order was facing from populism and as crude oil futures retreated on talk of a still strong outlook for US shale oil.
Credit Bank of Moscow breaks into top five for corporate bond sales in Russia
Credit Bank of Moscow's corporate debt syndication team had a very busy 2018, breaking into the top five in a national ranking of lead sales arrangers.
Credit Suisse downgrades Centrica to 'neutral'
Analysts at Credit Suisse downgraded shares of energy and services outfit Centrica to 'neutral' on Wednesday, saying that they expected a rough time for the firm's share price throughout February.
Senate sets vote to break US government shutdown impasse
Senate leaders have agreed to hold votes this week on proposals that could lead to a reopening of the government and provide relief for 800,000 federal workers.
London close: Stocks slip on US-China trade concerns, strength in Sterling
London stocks finished in the red on Wednesday as concerns about trade tensions between the US and China and a downbeat assessment of the UK manufacturing sector weighed on sentiment.
Broker tips: Centrica, Metro Bank, FTSE 100 'top ten' sells
Analysts at Credit Suisse downgraded energy and services outfit Centrica to 'neutral' on Wednesday, expecting a rough time for the firm's share price throughout February.
Metro Bank 'likely' to need new fundraising, analysts say
Metro Bank is now "increasingly likely" to go back to the City with its begging bowl, some analysts suggested after the lender's surprise trading update on Wednesday.
Crusader Resources warns of funding shortfall
Exploration and development outfit Crusader Resources warned investors on Wednesday that it continues to require additional immediate funding to continue operating.
Director dealings: Entertainment One founder disposes of significant stake
Entertainment One chief executive Darren Throop sold 1. 5m ordinary shares in the Toronto-based mass media outfit on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Burberry struts higher, Centrica hit by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 9% to 6,842. 93 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as sterling rallied amid indications that a no-deal Brexit was becoming less likely.
Renalytix AI begins clinical validation study for 'KidneyIntelX'
Artificial intelligence-enabled kidney disease diagnostics developer Renalytix AI announced the start of its clinical validation study for its lead diagnostic, ‘KidneyIntelX’, on Wednesday.
Acquisition strategy a winner for Rotala
Rotala updated the market on its trading for the year ended 30 November on Wednesday, reporting that the 2018 financial year was in line with market expectations.
Eurozone consumer confidence improves less than expected in January
Eurozone consumer confidence improved less than expected in January, according to flash figures released by the European Commission on Wednesday.
Burberry's festive growth cools but 'brand heat' grows
Burberry sales disappointed slightly over the festive quarter but the fashion house maintained that it was successfully building "brand heat" ahead of the launch next month of its new creative director's debut collection.
Botswana Diamonds raises fresh £0.37m in placing
Botswana Diamonds announced on Wednesday that it has undertaken a placing with existing and new investors to raise £0. 37m via the issue of 67,272,727 new ordinary shares at a price of 0. 55p each.
StatPro focus on recurring revenue paying off
Cloud-based portfolio analysis and asset pricing service provider StatPro Group updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that group revenue was expected to be about £54. 7m, up from £49. 3m year-on-year.
Asia report: Markets mixed amid fresh US-China trade concerns
Asian markets finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, as sentiment took a dip amid renewed concerns over trade negotiations between the US and China.