Latest News
US close: Stocks sag amid Syria concerns, confident Fed
Wall Street's main equity market indices finished moderately lower amid caution ahead of the release of the latest Federal Reserve minutes and after a slightly worse-than-expected print on US inflation data for March, as geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment.
Special cabinet called to decide on action in Syria
Theresa May will convene a 'war cabinet' on Thursday in order to seek pre-approval for the UK to join a tripartite attack on the Syrian regime in response to its alleged use of chemical weapons.
US rate-setters sound more hawkish note at March FOMC, minutes show
US central bankers were more confident on the economic outlook when they last met to decide on policy with several of the belief that at some point in about two years' time rates would need to rise above their normal longer-run value.
Europe close: Stocks dragged lower by geopolitical tensions
Geopolitical jitters weighed on European markets on Wednesday, with traders treading cautiously given the mounting tensions around Syria and the possibility of a military strike by the US over coming days, amid multiple other concerns.
Director dealings: Polymetal director ups stake
Marina Grönberg, non-executive director of precious metals miner Polymetal International, picked up 16,189 ordinary shares in the firm at an average price of 642. 60p each.
Shop Direct to close three distribution centres, putting 2,000 jobs on the line
The digital retailer Shop Direct announced on Wednesday the creation of a new automated 500,000 square foot distribution and returns centre in the UK.
Broker tips: Drax, ASOS, Centrica
Analysts at RBC sounded an upbeat note on Drax, telling clients the electricity generator's shares continued to offer a "compelling" investment case despite the recent rally in their share price.
Egdon Resources loses non-executive director following Infinis's purchase of investee
Egdon Resources announced on Wednesday that non-executive director Paul Jenkinson is to step down from the board with immediate effect.
London close: Stocks little changed as traders await news from Middle East
London stocks slipped on Wednesday following an unexpected drop in UK manufacturing and a sharp fall in construction output, as the bright spot of Tesco's results was overshadowed by investor caution over geopolitical tensions and ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes.
UK music companies report revenue surge from streaming services
Music companies across the UK saw revenues grow at the fastest rate since Britpop's height two decades ago, as services like Spotify and Apple Music brought more income to the industry from streaming than through CD sales for the first time.
HSBC downgrades Centrica on likely dividend cut
HSBC's analysts downgraded multinational utility company Centrica to 'reduce' on Wednesday, saying that while its recently announced price increase would help maintain its margins, it may, in turn, precipitate further customer losses.
Sector movers: Food retailers and oil stocks lead rise
Geopolitical tensions moved markets on Wednesday, with worries about military action in Syria lifting oil prices but hitting the tourism sector, while the highest rising sector was food and drug retailers after Tesco's results impressed.
AIQ Limited plans share placing and rubbishes Crypto rumours
Social commerce acquisition vehicle AIQ Limited distanced itself from rumours of a potential crypt-currency purchase and announced that it plans to undertake a share placing to generate liquidity.
Scapa Group confirms employee death at Dunstable site
Scapa Group confirmed the unfortunate death of one of its employees on Wednesday, following a workplace accident at the company’s Dunstable site on Tuesday evening.
RBC still sees "compelling" investment case in Drax
Analysts at RBC sounded an upbeat note on Drax, telling clients the electricity generator's shares continued to offer a "compelling" investment case despite the recent rally in their share price.
Oxford Instruments sees full-year results in line with expectations
Oxford Instruments said on Wednesday that its performance for the full year will be in line with expectations.
FTSE 100 movers: Tesco rallies on results, Centrica hit by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 2% to 7,253. 67 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors digested a slew of UK data and looked ahead to the release of the latest FOMC minutes.
House Speaker Paul Ryan not seeking re-election
House Speaker Paul Ryan informed those close to him that he would not actively seek re-election before publicly announcing the decision later on Wednesday.
US open: Sombre opening on the Street as geopolitical tensions weigh on investors
Wall Street trading kicked off on a sombre note on Wednesday amid caution ahead of the release of the latest Federal Reserve minutes and after a slightly worse-than-expected print on US inflation data for March, as geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment.
Artilium signs additional agreement with Pareteum
Telecommunications software and solutions provider Artilium has signed an additional agreement with Pareteum Corporation, it announced on Wednesday, to integrate the Interactive Digital Media messaging platform, which would increase the global reach of the Pareteum Global Cloud products.