Market Pulse
US close: Stocks lower following FOMC minutes
Wall Street stocks closed lower on Wednesday as investors digested minutes from the FOMC's latest policy meeting and earnings from chipmaker Nvidia.
Rishi Sunak announces 4 July general election
Prime minister Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that a general election will be held on 4 July, following a day of intense speculation in Westminster.
Director dealings: ABF director snaps up shares
Primark owner Associated British Foods revealed on Wednesday that non-executive director Kumsal Bayazit had acquired 2,930. 0p ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed group.
London close: Stocks in the red as inflation falls less than expected
London stocks ended in negative territory on Wednesday, as market participants reacted to the possibility of a summer general election and disappointing inflation data for April.
Broker tips: Weir, Assura
Berenberg re-initiated coverage of Weir Group on Wednesday with a ‘buy’ rating and 2,600p price target as it argued the engineering firm is a "structural winner".
FTSE 100 movers: M&S surges on results; Persimmon takes a hit
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 8% at 8,348. 43 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks flat as investors await Nvidia earnings
Wall Street stocks were little changed early on Wednesday as investors looked ahead to earnings from chipmaker Nvidia after the close.
Anglo American rejects third and final takeover proposal from BHP
Anglo American said on Wednesday that it has rejected a third and final takeover proposal from Australia’s BHP which values the miner at £38. 6bn.
Cinven not planning to make an offer for Alpha Financial
Alpha Financial Markets tumbled on Wednesday as it said private equity firm Cinven is not planning to make an offer for the financial services company.
Niox trading in line with expectations
Asthma-focussed medical device company Niox said in an update on Wednesday that it continued to perform strongly in the year to date, meeting management expectations.
Berenberg re-initiates coverage of Weir at ‘buy’
Berenberg re-initiated coverage of Weir Group on Wednesday with a ‘buy’ rating and 2,600p price target as it argued the engineering firm is a "structural winner".
Biogen to buy biotech Human Immunology Biosciences for up to $1.8bn
Biogen said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio) for up to $1. 8bn.
Coventry reportedly finalising £780m Co-op Bank takeover
Coventry Building Society is in the final stages of negotiating a £780m takeover of the Co-operative Bank, it emerged on Wednesday, aiming to complete the deal within days to avoid complications under the UK Takeover Code.
ITV makes investment in online estate agent Purplebricks
Broadcaster ITV said on Wednesday that it has made an investment in online estate agent Strike, which trades as Purplebricks.
Idox flags solid first-half revenue growth
Information management software and geospatial data specialist Idox said in an update on Wednesday that it achieved revenue of around £43m in the first six months of the financial year, marking a year-on-year increase of over 20%.
US pre-open: Futures in the red ahead of Nvidia earnings, Fed minutes
Wall Street futures were in the red ahead of the bell on Wednesday as investors look ahead to earnings from chipmaker Nvidia after the close.
Europe midday: Stocks stay down after UK inflation data; autos slump
European stocks were still weaker by midday on Monday as investors mulled the latest UK inflation data and looked ahead to quarterly earnings from US chip giant Nvidia.
London midday: Stocks down as inflation data dents rate cut hopes
London stocks were off earlier lows but still in the red by midday on Wednesday as data showed that inflation fell less than expected in April, dashing hopes of a summer rate cut.
Oaktree Capital takes ownership of Inter Milan following €395m default
US investment fund Oaktree Capital revealed it has become the new owner of Italian football champions Inter Milan after the club's holding company defaulted on a €395. 0m payment.
Zenova named as official NHS supplier
Fire safety business Zenova said on Wednesday that it has been appointed as an official supplier to the NHS for its FX range of extinguishers, with an initial order already being shipped.