Market Report
US close: China, NAFTA worries end six day winning streak
Wall Street ended six straight days of gains on Wednesday as shares fell on reports that China might cut US government debt purchases and US President Donald Trump would end the NAFTA agreement.
Europe close: Stocks mixed amid resurgent bond yields
European stocks finished the session in mixed fashion amid a jump in the euro's value and sharp gains in German government bond yields.
Berenberg initiates coverage on Chemring with 'buy' rating
Analysts at Berenberg initiated coverage on small-cap defence company Chemring on Wednesday, giving it a target price of 211p and issuing it a 'buy' rating.
London close: Stocks mixed amid retailers' updates, banks wanted
London stocks finished on a mixed note on Wednesday, as investors digested the latest reading on industrial production, with retailers in focus again following updates from Sainsbury’s, Ted Baker and Superdry.
Thursday preview: Updates from Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Boohoo and Barratt
Thursday is going to be the busiest day of the new year corporate rush, with post-Christmas updates from retailers including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Boohoo, plus housebuilder Barratt and recruiter Hays.
Unite claims Westminster has not done enough to help Bombardier in Boeing dispute
Trade union Unite warned the UK government on Wednesday that it was "raising the white flag" without much of a fight to save Bombardier jobs put at risk by the Canadian firm's ongoing spat with Boeing, demanding an urgent meeting between itself and the new secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley.
Director deals: Sirius Real Estate boss collects over £100,000 from share sale
Andrew Coombs, chief executive officer of commercial property development group Sirius Real Estate, disposed of 166,000 ordinary shares in the company on Wednesday.
US open: Banks jump again as bond yields continue advance
Wall Street is trading on the back foot after a report that China might be mulling not buying US government debt sent longer-term Treasury yields to their highest in almost a year.
AstraZeneca secures European approval for asthma drug
Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has received approval from the European Commission (EC) for its asthma medicine Fasenra.
FTSE 250 movers: Superdry, Ted Baker feel both sides of fashion's fickle hand
Shares in trend fashion outlet Superdry were distinctly out of favour on Wednesday despite reporting booming online sales over the Christmas period.
Hikma downgraded by Jefferies on turnaround challenges
Hikma Pharmaceuticals is likely to disappoint with its outlook for the coming year, Jefferies analysts feared, downgrading the drugmaker to 'underperform'.
Companies bemoan UK suffering 'critical' skills shortage
UK firms are finding it harder than ever before to find skilled workers, with nearly three-quarters of the services industry struggling to recruit the employees they need.
LSE sees no material impact from US tax changes
London Stock Exchange said on Wednesday that changes to the US tax system are not expected to have a material impact on the group.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks on the up but Taylor Wimpey drops after update
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% to 7,741. 79 in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with banks leading the advance.
Plastic bag charge to be extended to all shops in the UK
The UK government policy of charging 5p for plastic bags used at large retailers is expected to be extended to small shops in the UK.
Gaming Realms signs partnership agreement with Health Lottery
AIM-listed Gaming Realms, a developer, publisher and licensor of mobile real money and social games, has signed a partnership agreement with the Health Lottery.
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.
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.