Market Report
FX round-up: Sterling up as markets await outcome of UK election
Sterling checked out of Wednesday on an overall positive note, but its performance over the rest of the week remains inherently linked to the outcome of the UK general election.
Acacia likely to face 'large' cash sum to resolve Tanzania dispute - Numis
In order to resolve its dispute over gold-copper concentrate exports, Acacia Mining may have to pay a "potentially large" cash sum to the Tanzanian government, said broker Numis, but this makes shares a 'buy'.
Europe close: Oil price drop sees shares skid lower
A sharp drop in crude oil futures sent European stocks skidding lower ahead of multiple key risk events the next day, including the UK elections and US FBI director James Comey's testimony before a senate panel.
London close: FTSE retreats ahead of 'blockbuster Thursday' as oil, utility stocks ebb
Stocks in London retreated to a lower close as falling oil, utility and pharmaceutical companies decided the outcome ahead of 'blockbuster Thursday' and the UK general election.
FTSE 250 movers: St Modwen and property peers lead gains
Led by property companies the FTSE 250 was in positive territory on Wednesday, at odds with its larger sibling, which was being hit by a stronger pound.
Thursday preview: UK votes as market eyes Comey drama and dovish Draghi
After several days of calm before the storm, analysts and traders are looking forward to what they've dubbed Super Thursday, as a confluence of political and economic events is likely to lead to a big spike in volatility.
Commodities: Crude cliff dives on shock EIA stores build
Crude-oil futures cliff-dived lower on Wednesday afternoon as bears dumped the asset in wake of a shock build in US stockpiles, which added to existing concerns about Opec's output cut extension.
FTSE 100 movers: RBS rallies but WPP drops after update
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 5% to 7,485. 68 in afternoon trade as the pound gained ground ahead of Thursday's election.
US open: Wall Street bounces back ahead of Comey testimony
Wall Street was staging a mild bounce back on Wednesday ahead of a raft of key risk events the next day, including former FBI boss James Comey's testimony before a Senate panel, the UK general election and a meeting of the European Central Bank's Governing Council.
RBS right issue High Court finishes with one investor still 'dissatisfied'
A hardcore minority of Royal Bank of Scotland shareholders refused to accept the state-owned bank's settlement offer, although a High Court judge stopped the case on Wednesday.
Berkeley Energia adds Nigel Jones to board
Berkeley Energia announced on Wednesday that “highly respected” London-based mining executive Nigel Jones had been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the company, effective immediately.
Escher Group agrees contract with unnamed postal organisation
Outsourced point-of-sale software provider Escher Group Holdings announced on Wednesday that it agreed a contract with an unnamed large-scale postal organisation to provide in-store mobile POS.
Dalata enters sale-and-leaseback on Cardiff property
Dalata Hotel Group announced on Tuesday that it agreed the sale and leaseback of its Clayton Hotel in Cardiff to M&G Real Estate - which it described as one of the “world's largest property investors”.
CAP-XX makes 'excellent progress' ahead of year-end
Supercapacitor designer and manufacturer CAP-XX updated the market on its trading for the year to 30 June on Wednesday, reporting that it continued to make “excellent progress” in advancing negotiations on new licensing agreements and high value customer contracts for its range of supercapacitors.
IronRidge reports progress at Ivory Coast programmes
IronRidge Resources updated the market on its gold exploration programmes underway in Ivory Coast, West Africa on Tuesday, confirming soil-sampling programmes had been completed at 400m line spacing over the Bianouan and Bodite projects.
Allergan to buy medical device group Keller Medical
Dublin-based pharmaceutical company Allergan has agreed to acquire medical device company Keller Medical.
Rolls Royce shares set to nearly double by 2020, hedge-fund manager says
Shares in Rolls Royce might be set to nearly double in value by 2020 as the manufacturer gains more market share and cash flow growth accelerates, a hedge-fund manager said.
Santander acquires struggling Spanish rival Banco Popular
Spanish banking giant Santander has rescued teetering rival Banco Popular by scooping up the Madrid-based bank for just €1 after its shares lost more than half their value in the past week on fears it might be forced into a deeply discounted rights issue.
London midday: Stocks edge higher as banks, housebuilders gain
London stocks had reversed course by midday on Wednesday, edging higher thanks to a strong showing from banks and housebuilders.
Discounted Tullow offers exposure to growing low-cost oil production - Barclays
Barclays reinstated its 'overweight' rating on Tullow Oil on Wednesday as the company nears completion of its two-year restructuring of its debt, costs and portfolio.