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Electric car makers face higher costs as Congo eyes higher cobalt tax
The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken the first steps towards hiking taxes on cobalt exports by more than double, a move that could potentially increase the cost of a key material used in electric car batteries.
UK govt responsible for Govia Thameslink failings, says NAO
Failings on the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail franchise were laid squarely with the government in a damning report from the National Audit Office (NAO) on Wednesday.
Reports say China may slow US Treasury purchases, trade tensions cited
Longer-term US Treasury yields jumped to near their 2017-highs following a report that Beijing might be looking to slow or stop its purchases of American government debt.
Europe midday: Stocks dip as euro jumps back, Bunds drop
European stocks are trading in mixed fashion amid a jump in the euro's value and sharp gains in German government bond yields.
Carphone Warehouse hit with £400,000 fine over data security breach
Dixons Carphone's mobile phone retail arm Carphone Warehouse has been slapped with one of the largest fines ever issued by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after one of the company's computer systems was compromised as a result of a 2015 cyber attack.
Everyman Media Group 2017 trading in line
Cinema operator Everyman Media Group said on Wednesday that trading in 2017 has been line with market expectations as it maintained a positive outlook for this year and beyond.
Rio Tinto agrees $500m sale price for French smelter
Rio Tinto has received a binding offer to sell its Dunkerque aluminium smelter in northern France for $500m from Tata Steel owner Liberty House.
Interserve climbs after reassurance on profit and debt
Support services and construction group Interserve reported a more "consistent" trading performance for its financial year after issuing a pair of profit warnings in the autumn.
Moss Bros warns on profits after 'tough' December
Hot on the heels of profit warnings from Debenhams and Mothercare, specialist menswear retailer Moss Bros warned on Wednesday that full-year pre-tax profit was likely to come in “slightly below” current market expectations due to lower-than-anticipated footfall in December.
Soco International opts to impair $220m of charges from non-core African assets
Oil and gas exploration and production group Soco International, which had been in merger talks with Kuwait Energy for some time, announced on Wednesday that production from its Vietnamese operations remained in line with guidance.
US to loosen its nuclear weapons policy and develop low-yield bombs
Washington is planning on changing its nuclear weapons policy and developing more "usable" nuclear warheads for US on its Trident missiles.
Construction output disappoints as commercial building slides
UK construction output in November rose for the first time since August but growth remained weak and remained in decline at the underlying level.
Euromoney sells II Journals to Pageant Media
Business information and events group Euromoney has sold its Institutional Investor Journals (II Journals) business segment to Pageant Media for an undisclosed sum.
Chinese consumer prices rise less than forecast in December
Chinese consumer prices fell short of forecasts in December alongside a drop in factory gate inflation in the Asian giant to a 13-month low, possibly opening the way up for looser central bank policy.
FCA warns of failings in firms providing CFDs to retail investors
Several City brokers providing contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail investors are causing "serious concern" at the UK financial regulator, which wrote to 19 providers with a warning about their conduct.
Online sales help Quiz make Xmas fashionable
QUIZ, the fast fashion womenswear brand, said Christmas trading was in line with expectations with a 31. 9% increase in revenue for the seven-weeks to January 6, boosted by online sales.
US pre-open: Stocks seen retreating from record highs; bond yields in focus
US futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street on Wednesday after all three indices closed at record highs in the previous session, as investors eyed speeches from Fed officials.
London midday: Stocks flat as investors digest data; banks and retailers rally
London stocks had flattened out by midday on Wednesday, erasing earlier small gains as investors digested the latest reading on industrial production, with retailers in focus again following updates from Sainsbury’s, Ted Baker and Superdry.
UK industrial production rises for eighth month in a row
UK industrial production notched up its strongest run of growth in 23 years as output from the manufacturing sector rose more than expected, official data showed on Wednesday.
Focusrite closes out year with continued strong growth
Music and audio product group Focusrite announced further revenue and cash growth over its last trading quarter.