Market Pulse
London close: Stocks slip ahead of much-awaited Fed decision
London's stock markets closed lower on Wednesday, as investors digested the latest UK inflation figures and looked ahead to the US Federal Reserve's policy announcement later in the day.
Broker tips: Hammerson, Marshalls, Warpaint London
Citi upgraded Hammerson to 'buy' from 'neutral' on Wednesday and lifted the price target to 43. 0p from 26. 0p, saying it was entering a "new positive up cycle".
FTSE 100 movers: IHG boosted by upgrade; L&G in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 6% at 8,257. 76 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks mixed as traders await FOMC decision
Wall Street stocks were mixed early on Wednesday as market participants looked ahead to the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
AFC Energy launches Hymatec ammonia cracking subsidiary
AFC Energy, a provider of hydrogen power generation technologies, announced the launch of Hyamtec on Wednesday - a wholly-owned subsidiary established to commercialise the company's next-generation distributed ammonia cracking technology.
Guardian Metal announces Pilot Mountain assay results
Guardian Metal announced significant assay results from the first diamond core drill hole of its ongoing exploration campaign at the Pilot Mountain Project in Nevada on Wednesday.
US housing starts surge in August
US housing starts surged 9. 6% month-on-month in August to an annualised rate of 1. 35m, according to the Census Bureau, beating market expectations for a reading of 1. 31m.
GSK settles two Zantac cases in California
GSK announced on Wednesday that it has reached confidential settlements in two lawsuits filed in California State Court related to its discontinued heartburn medication, ‘Zantac’, or ranitidine.
Christie Group warns on profits amid 'continuing volatility'
Professional business services firm Christie Group warned on Wednesday that "continuing volatility" meant that its full-year operating performance would now be weaker than originally expected.
Goldman upgrades InterContinental Hotels, downgrades Whitbread
Goldman Sachs upgraded InterContinental Hotels to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ on Wednesday and cut Premier Inn owner Whitbread to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ as it reshuffled its European-listed hotel ratings.
US pre-open: Stocks cautiously higher ahead of FOMC decision
Wall Street futures were slightly higher ahead of the bell on Wednesday as market participants looked ahead to the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
TGI Fridays franchise owner Hostmore to call in administrators
Hostmore, which owns the UK franchise of TGI Fridays, said on Wednesday that it was filing for administration.
Intercede locks in further contract orders and renewals
Cybersecurity firm Intercede said on Wednesday that it has locked in further contract orders and renewals of more than $1. 3m in value.
ValiRx subsidiary inks agreement with research firm Xenopat
London-based life science company ValiRx has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Inaphaea BioLabs, has entered into an evaluation and commercial use agreement with Spanish contract research organisation Xenopat.
London midday: Stocks fall further as investors eye Fed; IHG jumps on upgrade
London stocks had fallen further into the red by midday on Wednesday as investors mulled the latest UK inflation reading and looked ahead to a policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve.
1Spatial wins 'major multi-year contract' with French authority
Software and solutions business 1Spatial has secured a major multi-year contract renewal with a National Public Authority in France, valued at €1. 5m over four years.
MPAC acquires US robotic automation and conveyor solutions business
Packaging company MPAC has agreed to acquire American robotic automation and conveyor solutions business Boston Conveyor & Automation from Jim Laverdiere in a deal worth $17. 0m.
Berenberg hikes target price on Warpaint London
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on cosmetics group Warpaint London from 580. 0p to 680. 0p on Wednesday after the company delivered "significant" end-market outperformance and margin expansion in its interim report card.
RBC Capital starts Marshalls at ‘sector perform’
RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage of Marshalls on Wednesday with a ‘sector perform’ rating and 370p price target.
Transense chosen as key partner on UK EV development programme
Automotive and aerospace sensor technology specialist Transense Technologies announced on Wednesday that it has been chosen as a key partner in an ambitious £11m electric vehicle (EV) research and development programme.