Market Pulse
ECB's De Guindos says direction of rates 'clear', but cautious in near-term
Luis de Guindos at the European Central Bank expressed confidence that interest rates were headed lower still, but perhaps more slowly than anticipated.
Broker tips: Whitbread, GB Group, Renew Holdings, Flutter Entertainment
Jefferies reiterated its ‘buy’ rating on Whitbread but lowered its target price on the stock to 4,000. 0p from 4,200. 0p on the back of the hospitality firm’s growth plans.
London close: Stocks rise as US inflation undershoots forecasts
London stocks closed higher on Wednesday as investors reacted to economic data from the US and the UK, with lower-than-expected inflation figures from the United States and uninspiring GDP data from the UK.
Director dealings: RWS Holdings CEO ups stake
RWS Holdings revealed on Wednesday that chief executive Ian El-Mokadem had acquired 5,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed intellectual support services firm.
Alpha FMC extends takeover deadline as talks with Bridgepoint ongoing
Alpha Financial Markets said on Wednesday that the ‘put up or shut up’ deadline for Bridgepoint to make an offer for the group has been extended as the two parties are still in talks.
FTSE 250 movers: Safestore, Octopus Renewables lose ground
London’s FTSE 250 was up 1. 2% at 20,499. 68 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Rentokil surges; Legal & General in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 9% at 8,219. 56 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks trade higher following CPI reading
Wall Street stocks were in the green at the bell on Wednesday as investors look ahead to the outcome of the Federal Reserve's June policy meeting and another batch of inflation data.
FedEx to cut between 1,700 and 2,000 back office jobs in Europe
US parcel delivery firm FedEx said on Wednesday that it plans to axe between 1,700 and 2,000 back-office and commercial jobs in Europe as it looks to cut costs amid a slump in freight demand.
US mortgage applications surge as Treasury yields fall
US mortgage applications soared 15. 6% in the week ended 7 June, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, rebounding from a 5. 2% drop in the previous week and erasing the prior two week’s declines.
Mosman Oil farm-in partner gets funding grant for EP 145
Hydrocarbon, helium, and hydrogen exploration, development, and production company Mosman Oil & Gas updated the market on the EP 145 project in the Amadeus Basin of Central Australia on Wednesday, operated by its farm-in partner Greenvale Energy.
Dillistone still cautious despite trading ahead of forecasts
Recruitment software and service provider Dillistone Group said in an update on Wednesday that its trading performance for the first half was slightly ahead of management expectations.
Proton Motor gets follow-up order from Switzerland's H2tec
Proton Motor Power Systems announced a follow-up order from Switzerland-based H2tec on Wednesday, for its HyCabinet S16 system.
Empire Metals announces Pitfield exploration target
Resource exploration and development company Empire Metals announced a JORC exploration target for the Pitfield Titanium Project in Western Australia on Wednesday - a significant step towards developing a mineral resource estimate for the project.
EU to slap tariff of up to 38pc on Chinese EVs
The European Union (EU) is set to impose tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), it was reported on Wednesday, initiating duties exceeding €2bn annually and risking a trade conflict with China.
US pre-open: Futures cautiously higher ahead of FOMC decision
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Wednesday as investors look ahead to the outcome of the Federal Reserve's June policy meeting and another batch of inflation data.
London midday: Stocks maintain gains after UK GDP, ahead of US inflation
London stocks were still in the black by midday on Wednesday as uninspiring UK GDP data raised hopes of a rate cut this summer.
RWS Holdings confident despite weaker first-half
Language, content and intellectual property technology specialist RWS Holdings reported a shrinking of first-half revenue and profit on Wednesday, but said it expected its full-year performance to align with market expectations despite certain challenges.
Good Energy invests a further £1.7m in Zapmap
Renewable electricity supplier and energy services provider Good Energy Group announced a further £1. 7m strategic investment in Zapmap on Wednesday, through a convertible loan note.
Octopus Renewables reports progress on several fronts
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust announced a number of updates on its construction and development activities on Wednesday.