Market Report
Director dealings: Dechra chairman lowers stake
Dechra Pharmaceuticals chairman Tony Griffin sold 5,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250 listed drug maker.
Thursday preview: BoE in focus
Financial markets' focus today will shift to the Bank of England.
Europe close: Stocks stabilise, but investors on edge
Stocks on the Continent advanced on Wednesday, led by an advance in Italian issues after news broke that the European Commission will not start an excessive deficit procedure against the government in Rome.
London close: Stocks stage small rebound ahead of US Fed
London stocks rose on Wednesday, bouncing back from the previous session's losses with GlaxoSmithKline in the lead on news of a tie-up with Pfizer, as investors digested inflation data and looked ahead to the US Federal Reserve's policy announcement.
FTSE 250 movers: Vivo Energy surges, Kier falls down
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 88% at 17,648. 252 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, as Vivo Energy advanced on the back of a strong performance from one of its parent companies.
Sector movers: Miners, oil companies and drugmakers lead rally
Miners and drugmakers led London stock indices higher on Wednesday, while tobacco and industrials got left behind.
Velocys secures site for UK waste-to-jet fuel project
Renewable fuels company Velocys announced on Wednesday that it has secured a site for the UK waste-to-jet-fuel project, which it was developing in collaboration with British Airways and Shell.
SIMEC Atlantis confirms completion of two MeyGen turbines
Sustainable energy project developer SIMEC Atlantis Energy announced on Wednesday that its offshore construction team had successfully completed the redeployment of two 1. 5MW turbines at the MeyGen tidal energy project in Scotland.
Burford Capital reveals funding structure for $1.6bn investment round
Finance and investment management firm Burford Capital announced the structuring of new funding arrangements on Wednesday, to facilitate its next $1. 6bn in litigation finance investments.
Flow test begins at Brockham, says Alba
Diversified mineral exploration and development company Alba Mineral Resources said on Wednesday that it has been informed by Angus Energy - the operator of the Brockham oil field under Production Licence 235 - that it has commenced its previously-announced commercial flow test programme at Brockham.
FCA to investigate Yu Group announcements
Yu Group updated its shareholders on Wednesday, reporting that the Financial Conduct Authority had notified it of its intention to conduct an investigation into the company.
Red Rock Resources sees progress on DRC assets
Natural resource development company Red Rock Resources announced developments in relation to its joint venture agreement for the development of cobalt and copper assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday.
US open: Stocks go green ahead of latest Fed policy announcement
Wall Street trading began with some gains on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest policy announcement.
US existing home sales unexpectedly rise in November
Sales of US existing homes unexpectedly rose in November, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
FTSE 100 movers: Glaxo rallies on Pfizer tie-up; Royal Mail retreats
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 7% at 6,748. 31 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors eyed the latest Fed policy announcement.
United Oil & Gas awaits mobilisation of drilling unit to Colter well
Exploration and development outfit United Oil & Gas has seen the Ensco 72 jack-up drilling unit contracted to dill the Colter appraisal well mobilise to the Wick prospect drilling location.
Direct Line said to be considering £400m bid for L&G division
FTSE 100 insurer Direct Line Insurance Group is said to be mulling a £400m move on Legal & General’s general insurance arm.
Filta Group to buy Essex-based Watbio for GBP6.9m
Filta Group has entered into a conditional agreement to buy Essex-based Watbio, which provides grease and drain management solutions to commercials kitchens, for £6. 9m.
Broker tips: Asos, Superdry, Serco, Weir
RBC Capital Markets downgraded Asos to ‘outperform’ from ‘top pick’ on Wednesday, slashing the target price to 3,200p from 7,700p "while uncertainty shadows the stock" following the online retailer’s shock profit warning earlier in the week.
3M to buy technology business for M*Modal in $1bn deal
3M has agreed to buy the technology business of M*Modal for an enterprise value of $1bn.