Market Report
FX round-up: Bears see sterling down as market awaits Fed's minutes
Sterling suffered as market bears again sweated the prospects of Brexit, pushing the UK currency lower on most key crosses ahead of the country's Q1 second-estimate GDP data tomorrow.
US close: Markets finish higher as investors mull Fed minutes
Wall Street's main market averages finished in the green on Wednesday, with Treasury yields slipping after the release of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s May meeting.
Europe close: Stocks tread water, ECB, Fed in focus
European indices finished the session on a mixed note despite, or perhaps on account of, dovish remarks from two top European Central Bank officials.
London close: FTSE wanders to positive close ahead of Fed minutes
Stocks in London wandered to a positive close on Wednesday as investors embraced a raft of corporate news, and as the market looked to this evening's Federal Reserve minutes release.
US crude oil inventories drop more than expected
US crude oil stockpiles drew more quickly than expected last week with analysts pointing to near-record refinery runs as the main culprit.
Thursday preview: UK GDP, Halfords, Qinetiq, B&M
Following a quiet week for UK data, Thursday will allow economists to get their teeth into more granular detail about the consumer backdrop, with the second release of gross domestic product for the first-quarter, plus the index of services and results from companies including Halford, United Utilities and QinetiQ.
Wood Group's Amec takeover under spotlight amid SFO's Unaoil probe
A potential spanner has been thrown in the works of John Wood Group's acquisition of fellow engineer Amec Foster Wheeler after the pair revealed connections to the Unaoil bribery scandal.
Commodities: Crude oil rises after EIA data, ahead of Opec meet on Thursday
Crude-oil futures got a boost higher on Wednesday afternoon thanks to further confirmation that US inventories fell last week, in a market pensive ahead of tomorrow's Opec meeting.
US open: Basic Resources pace gains as Moody's raises outlook on China's debt
Wall Street's main market averages were seeing slight gains despite weak economic data with shares of Basic Resource names pacing the advance despite an overnight downgrade of China's debt by a leading ratings agency.
FTSE 250 movers: Dixons Carphone rallies on results; Acacia loses its shine
London's FTSE 250 index was up 0. 2% to 19,950. 99 in afternoon trade as investors eyed the release of the latest FOMC minutes after the close.
Tungsten Corporation lifts expectations ahead of final results
Global e-invoicing, purchase order services, analytics and financing company Tungsten Corporation updated the market on its trading for the financial year to 30 April on Wednesday, reporting that revenue for the period was expected to be in excess of £31m, representing growth of 20% on the prior year and above the board’s previous guidance of at least £30m.
US existing home sales drop more than expected in April
Sales of US existing home sales fell more than expected in April, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
ECB's Draghi does not see financial stability risks
Low interest rates and other policy measures are not storing up trouble for the future in the single currency bloc, rather the opposite, so no change in policy guidance is required, the European Central Bank's boss said.
US house price growth slows a tad in March, FHFA says
House prices in the US continued to rise at a steep pace in March amid continued strong demand and low inventories which more than offset slightly higher mortgage rates.
Strat Aero wins contract with Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation
International aerospace company Strat Aero announced a contract with the Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation on Wednesday, to provide aviation consulting services.
Mediclinic holds divi but shares fall as Abu Dhabi recovery only 'gradual'
MediClinic kept its dividend steady despite a poor performance from the Middle East arm, with the private hospital group seeing recent "gradual improvements" in the troubled Abu Dhabi business.
Acacia Mining export ban remains amid Tanzania accusations of deception
Acacia Mining has been accused by the Tanzania government of under-declaring the mineral content of its gold and copper exports, so the export ban on the London-listed company will continue.
FTSE 100 movers: EasyJet flies higher on upgrade; Kingfisher drops on results
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% to 7,506. 39 in afternoon trade as investors awaited the release of the latest Federal Reserve minutes.
Results round-up
Although sales remained steady, Marks & Spencer reported a 64% plunge in profits for the year to 1 April after taking a £437. 4m hit mainly from changes to its pension scheme, international stores, and UK head office.
Euro area price stability still at risk, ECB's Praet says
The risk still exists that the rise in inflation might stall if rate-setters are too hasty, the European Central Bank's chief economist said.