Market Report
FX round-up: Sterling under pressure, but technical backdrop still constructive
Sterling came under pressure again as markets continued to wait for a possible breakthrough in negotiations between Westminister and the DUP on the Irish question - albeit amid some scepticism - ahead of a Sunday deadline to reach a deal with Brussels in order to move forward on trade negotiations.
Bonds: Gross calls 2.0% top for Fed funds rate
These were the movements in some of the most closely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 34% (-1bp)UK: 1. 23% (-3bp)Germany: 0. 30% (-3bp)France: 0. 61% (-1bp)Spain: 1. 43% (+2bp)Italy: 1. 73% (+2bp)Portugal: 1. 88% (-1bp)Greece: 4. 81% (-3bp)Japan: 0. 06% (+1bp) .
Commodities: Gasoline, WTI futures drop on rapid build in gasoline stocks
A large build in US gasoline stockpiles weighed on the entire energy complex, helping to send a key gauge for the entire asset class to a two-month low.
Results round-up
Systems integrator and managed services provider Maintel Holdings updated the market on its trading for the year to 31 December on Wednesday, reporting that its ‘ICON’ cloud services have continued to grow strongly in the second half of 2017, boosted by ongoing investment in the platform.
Broker tips: Carnival, Easyjet, Ted Baker
Analysts at Morgan Stanley have upgraded their recommendation on cruise ship operator Carnival on the back of strong demand signals.
Director dealings: EasyJet's Lundgren buys in at 52-week high
Easyjet's new boss picked up a sizeable number of shares in the company roughly a month after being put at the controls, even as they hit a fresh 52-week high.
Sector movers: JP Morgan retains Diageo as its top-pick despite rise in bond yields
Cigarettes and booze found a bid on Wednesday as investors sought refuge in those two defensive sectors on a risk-off day more generally for financial assets globally, amid gyrations in metals markets which some market commentary linked to wider uncertainty surrounding the outlook for China's economy but also US policy-making.
Europe close: Stocks slip amid continued weakness in technology
Stocks ended on a slightly down note amid talk of 'profit-taking' and 'sector rotation' as investors adjusted their portfolios in anticipation of tax cuts and tighter monetary policy on the other side of the Pond, alongside caution towards the outlook for growth in China and heavy selling on the Japanese and Hong Kong bourses.
US midday: Stocks little changed ahead of jobs report, Fed meeting
Wall Street is little changed as traders continued to play it safe ahead of Friday's monthly non-farm payrolls numbers and the following week's US Federal Reserve policy meeting.
London close: Stocks gains as Sterling wavers amid Brexit uncertainty
Shares reversed earlier losses to finish just a touch higher on Wednesday as the pound remained under pressure on account of the breakdown in Brexit talks, with M&A news providing a welcome distraction.
WTI futures drop after DoE reports sharp build in gasoline stocks
US gasoline stockpiles built sharply during the latest reference week, resulting in a sharp drop in crude oil inventories.
Whitbread climbs as activist hedge fund buys stake
Shares in Whitbread were lifted on Wednesday after activist hedge fund Sachem Head bought a stake in the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner.
Thursday preview: DS Smith and Clipper Logistics report results
For the UK the financial diary is pretty quiet, with investors able to fully scrutinise new FTSE 100 entrant DS Smith as it publishes half-year results a week after it's promotion to the blue chip index was confirmed.
UK life sciences industry bags first government 'sector deal'
UK life sciences companies have inked a 'sector deal' as part of the government's new industrial strategy, including commitments from GlaxoSmithKline to invest £40m in UK genetic research and from Merck to invest in a major new research facility in London.
Windar receives order for five LiDAR systems
Wind sensor technology group Windar Photonics has received an order for five LiDAR systems from a Chinese original equipment manufacturer for immediate delivery, it announced on Wednesday.
FTSE 250 movers: Intu surges on Hammerson deal; Saga slides on profit warning
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 2% to 19,837. 84 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with deal news in focus.
Regency Mines enters MoU with Legacy Hill Resources
Natural resource exploration and development company Regency Mines has entered into a memorandum of understanding with privately-owned mining company Legacy Hill Resources, for co-operation in structuring, financing and owning coal investments in the US, it announced on Wednesday.
FTSE 100 movers: Whitbread jumps on Sachem Capital stake; Hammerson slumps on Intu deal
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 5% to 7,360. 52 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, helped along by a weaker pound amid Brexit deadlock woes.
Steinhoff shares sink as CEO Jooske leaves amid 'accounting irregularities'
Steinhoff International shares plummeted on Wednesday as its chief executive officer Markus Jooste resigned with immediate effect amid "accounting irregularities", while the release of the company's 2017 numbers has been postponed.
Real US hourly compensation growth still in the red during the third quarter
US labor costs slipped unexpectedly during the third quarter, as wages grew more slowly than anticipated.