Latest News
US close: Stocks close lower as tumbling oil prices reverse afternoon rally
US stocks closed mostly lower on Tuesday as a late push was offset by plummeting oil prices cratered, dragging the energy sector sharply lower.
US open: Wall Street jumps on appearance of improving US-China relations, WTI crashing
US stocks appear to be moving higher quickly on Tuesday following a hesitant start amid hopes that relations between China and the US are improving.
Commodities: Crude oil futures pumeled on both sides of the Atlantic
Crude oil futures crumbled amid what appeared to be the forced liquidation of 'long' positions as losses snowballed across most of the energy complex.
FX round-up: Trade talk, speculation around possible Brexit deal brake US dollar
A more 'constructive' news-flow on the global trade front and news of a breakthrough in talks on the UK's withdrawal between London and Brussels, kept the Greenback from hitting a fresh 52-week high on Tuesday.
Small caps round-up
IQE reported on Tuesday that its supply chain has been affected by a reduction in shipments from a major semiconductor customer, leading to a drop in full-year revenue expectations.
Russian GDP slows more-than-expected in Q3, but economists expect pick-up
Economic growth in Russia slowed over the three months to September, although some economists expected the pace of expansion to pick-up over the following year.
Wednesday preview: Cabinet Brexit talks, UK and US CPI in the spotlight
Property developer British Land is among those companies set to update investors, although its share price performance may end up being dictated more by what happens at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 1400 GMT than by the company's latest set of interims.
Shore Capital downgrades Sophos to 'hold'
Analysts at Shore Capital downgraded IT security outfit Sophos to 'hold' on Tuesday, stating that the leap in billings seen a year ago looked more likely to be a limp this time around.
Europe close: US-China trade news offset slump in crude oil futures
Stocks in Europe bounced back, helped by quite positive headlines around the ongoing trade talks between China and the US, as well as early gains on Wall Street, which more than offset the drag from the downdraft in crude oil futures.
Vodafone reassures on dividend despite swing to loss
Vodafone swung to a large loss at the half-year stage after restructuring its business in India due to competitive pressures, though underlying earnings remained on track and there was reassurance provided on the dividend.
London close: FTSE clings on as pound surges, oil slumps
London's FTSE 100 just managed to hold onto a very slight gain on Tuesday as the pound was lifted by strong wage growth figures and Brexit hopes, while oil prices slumped.
US and China speaking 'at all levels' ahead of G20 meet, says Kudlow
President Trump has initiated direct contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the leaders’ meeting at the G20 in Argentina at the end of the month, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CNBC on Tuesday.
Home Depot raises guidance for second time this year
Home Depot upped its sales and profits guidance for a second time this year on Tuesday thanks to a robust US housing market that has led many Americans to pour money back into their homes.
Morgan Stanley downgrades European O&G, stays 'overweight' BP
Analysts at Morgan Stanley on Tuesday downgraded their recommendation on the European Oil & Gas sector, arguing that the favourable tailwinds which had helped compress its relative dividend yield back to its historical norms had now largely passed.
Cabinet convenes as negotiators agree EU withdrawal text
Theresa May's cabinet will meet on Wednesday after British and EU negotiators agreed the text for a UK-wide customs arrangement that could will form part of a Brexit withdrawal agreement, according to reports on Tuesday afternoon.
FTSE 250 movers: Contour powers ahead as B&M stumbles
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 81% at 18,964. 88 in afternoon trade on Tuesday, as ContourGlobal and BTG both shot more than 10%.
Broker tips: Pennon Group, Sophos
Pennon Group shares now look fair value, said Deutsche Bank on Tuesday, as it downgraded its stance on the stock to 'hold' from 'buy'.
Director dealings: Serco execs lower stake
Serco chief executive Rupert Soames sold 399,661 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed outsourcing company on Tuesday.
Brent crude oil futures walloped as speculators pile-in
Oil prices are getting walloped as speculative accounts continue to pile-up in the complex, according to analysts.
Indebted GE to raise $4bn through Baker Hughes sale
Struggling US conglomerate General Electric is to raise $4bn by selling a stake in oil services firm Baker Hughes, as it looks to slash debts and return to growth.