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US close: Financials and energy surge, but IBM and treasuries drag
Wall Street closed on Wednesday as it opened, on a mixed note, with solid earnings from banking giant Morgan Stanley and stronger oil prices being offset by a struggling IBM weighing on the blue-chip index.
Market buzz: Miners jump on sanctions concerns, nickel and aluminium fly
1700:Close A weaker-than-expected reading on UK consumer prices saw the pound fall back and the Footsie jump, but with buying very much concentrated on the Basic Resources space.
Sector movers: Miners move up en masse as commodity index peaks
Miners led the charge on Wednesday, lifted by various factors, including rising commodities prices and bullish analyst opinions.
Thursday preview: March retail sales, Debenhams in the spotlight
With wage growth in Britain now finally outpacing price rises, on Thursday we'll learn whether Britons are splashing out on purchases or not.
Results round-up
London-focused residential property developer Telford Homes updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, saying it anticipated record revenue and profit for the year ended 31 March.
Europe close: Modest gains for stocks
Stocks moved off their lows of the session to finish higher, with sentiment helped by positive corporate results overseas and despite further weak prints on economic activity in the euro area.
France-Spain gas pipeline's viability questioned by European Commission
A debate regarding the economic viability of a gas pipeline connecting Spain and France has been opened up after the release of a report by the European Commission.
UK to lose access to European Medicines Agency post-Brexit
The UK is at risk of losing alignment with the EU’s European Medicines Agency after Brexit, meaning it could lose the ability to evaluate, regulate and monitor new drugs as well as potentially being stripped of access to new revolutionary treatments for British patients.
London close: Stocks jump as pound falls back, miners leap higher
London stocks jumped on Wednesday as the latest round of inflation data knocked the pound lower, raising doubts in some corners over the likelihood of a rate hike by the Bank of England next month.
Casual dining holds up in 2017 but faces tough 2018 outlook
Many casual dining brands saw significant growth on the high street last year despite recent high-profile closures and concerns that market saturation and other factors could damage the industry.
EU shows increased support for proposed Iran sanctions
European Union member states have begun to show increasing support for Britain, France and Germany's proposed new sanctions on Iran as part of an effort to dissuade the White House from pulling out of the Obama administration's landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
M&S director departs as reorganisation efforts continue
M&S director Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne will be leaving the business at the end of May once the firm is reorganised into a family of accountable business and its corporate marketing teams are devolved into its Clothing & Home and Food business.
Putin seeks new deal with US to reduce tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking to dial down tensions with the US after Washington imposed sanctions on United Co. Rusal two weeks ago, in response to the Moscow's "malign activity" in multiple regions, and the launch of airstrikes last week against the chemicals weapon programme of Russian ally Bashar al Assad.
Broker tips: AA, Whitbread, Animalcare
The risk/reward for roadside assistance and breakdown cover provider and insurer AA is now balanced, according to Credit Suisse, which upped its rating on the stock to 'neutral' from 'underperform' and hiked the price target to 130p from 80p.
Melrose urges final GKN shareholders to sell up
Melrose Industries still had not received acceptances from 15% of GKN shareholders for its takeover after its midday deadline on Wednesday, though it said the offer will become unconditional in all respects at 0800 BST the following day.
Chinese house price gains pick-up in March
Home price gains in China accelerated last month to a three-month high despite Beijing's best efforts to dampen housing inflation.
Credit Suisse ups Hammerson target price after Intu takeover aborted
Analysts at Credit Suisse increased their target price in shares of shopping centre owner Hammerson to 545p from 500p after the company withdrew its offer to purchase Intu Properties on Wednesday.
FTSE 250: Precious metals miners up, TI Fluids and Jupiter fall
The FTSE 250 index was on the up on Wednesday afternoon, led by news-driven gains for precious metals miners Polymetal and Hochschild, oil services engineer Hunting and price comparison site Moneysupermarket.
Palace Capital lets refurbished Solaris House in Milton Keynes
Property investment company Palace Capital has let Unit 2, known as Solaris House, located in Pitfield, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally as copper prices jump; Bunzl on the back foot
London's FTSE 100 was up 1. 2% to 7,314. 59 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as the pound took a hit from the latest inflation data, which cast doubts over the prospect of a BoE rate hike next month.