Market Report
US close: Markets rise as Fed keeps interest rates steady
Wall Street markets finished in the green on Wednesday, after the Fed decided to stand pat on interest rates, although it did pave the way for possible rate cuts going forward.
Federal Reserve keeps rates unchanged, Bullard dissents
The Federal Reserve kept rates on hold on Wednesday, but central bankers in Washington D. C. noted that "uncertainties" around the economic outlook had increased, with one rate-setter, James Bullard, breaking ranks and voting for an immediate 25 basis point reduction in the Fed funds rate.
Commodities: Energy futures, copper slip ahead of US Fed
Commodity prices weakened on Wednesday following the release of data showing a larger-than-expected build in weekly US crude oil and product inventories, even as investors waited on the result of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting.
Gambling firms pledge £100m to forestall government crackdown
The UK’s biggest bookmakers offered the government £100m in funds to tackle problem gambling in an attempt to forestall a crackdown on their industry.
Thursday preview: Bank of England, Dixon's Carphone in the spotlight
The market spotlight on Thursday will be firmly on central banks, as policymakers at the Bank of England meet to decide on interest rates, with several of them having recently cautioned that financial markets might be underestimating the scope for a hike in Bank Rate before year end.
Director dealings: Burberry's Frasch picks up shares near 200-week moving average
Burberry non-executive director Ron Frasch purchased 456 American Depositary Receipts in the luxury fashion retailer on 17 June.
Europe close: Investors play it safe ahead of the Fed
Stocks on the Continent ended much as they had started on Wednesday with investors wary ahead of the US central bank's policy announcement due out after the market close in Frankfurt, albeit following the very sharp gains seen during the previous session.
Ocado slips as high-speed grocery delivery demand faces scrutiny
Ocado's shares slipped on Friday after a report from industry website The Grocer questioned the value of high-speed grocery delivery services and the online supermarket sold its Fabled by Marie Clare fashion retailer.
London close: Footsie underperforms ahead of Fed as pound gains
London stocks underperformed on Wednesday on the back of strength in Sterling even as investors eyed the result of an upcoming policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
FTSE 250 movers: Saga slides, CYBG climbs
London's FTSE 250 inched 0. 09% lower to 19,294. 35 in afternoon trading on Wednesday, with Saga leading the index downwards.
US open: Investors play it safe ahead of Fed decision
An early timid advance on Wall Street on Wednesday quickly gave way to mixed trading ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy announcement later in the day, as investors decided that discretion was the better part of valour.
FTSE 100 movers: Airlines hit by HSBC downgrade; Ocado drops
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 5% at 7,408. 90 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors digested the latest UK inflation figures and looked to a policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Rio Tinto downgrades iron ore guidance again
Rio Tinto has downgraded its full-year iron ore shipments guidance due to mine operational challenges.
HSBC downgrades EasyJet and IAG after Lufthansa warning
HSBC downgraded its stance on several airline stocks on Wednesday as it turned more cautious on the sector after Lufthansa's profit warning earlier this week.
JP Morgan reassured after Tesco's Capital Markets Day, reiterates 'overweight'
Analysts at JP Morgan walked away from Tesco's Capital Markets Day "reassured", telling clients that it should at least suffice to underpin consensus estimates for the grocer's margins and free cash flow.
Goals Soccer rejects Sports Direct's calls for further accounting probe
Five-a-side football pitch operator Goals Soccer Centres responded on Wednesday after Sports Direct demanded that the company hire a corporate investigator of its choice to look into a series of accounting issues that led to the suspension of its shares.
Ormonde Mining's losses widen ahead of 'challenging' year
Ormonde Mining's shares slid on Wednesday after reporting a wider annual loss on the back of a jump in administrative expenses and after notifying that initial ore mined from the Barruecopardo Tungsten Project's northern starter pit has been lower grade than anticipated.
Berkeley Group anticipates further decline in profits, but cash piling up
Profits at Berkeley Group declined by less than expected last year, with the company continuing to build up its cash position and adding to its landbank.
Lekoil swings to profit as Otakikpo ramps up
Lekoil on Wednesday swung to an annual profit as revenue climbed after production at the Nigerian Otakikpo oil field ramped up.
Apple allegedly urges suppliers to move output from China
Apple has asked its largest suppliers to consider the cost implications of shifting between 15-30% of their output from China to Southeast Asia, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on Wednesday.