Market Report
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Director dealings: Keller finance director acquires 24,736 ordinary shares
James Hind, finance director of geotechnical solutions specialist Keller Group, acquired 24,736 ordinary shares in the London-based firm at an average price of 975. 50p each as part of a transaction linked to an exercise of his share award.
System1 prepares shareholders for disappointing results
Marketing services group System1 updated the market on its trading for the 12 months ended 31 March on Wednesday, which it described as “disappointing”.
US open: Unsteady start to Wall Street trading as IBM weighs on Dow
Wall Street trading opened on a mixed note on Wednesday, with solid earnings from banking giant Morgan Stanley being offset by a struggling IBM weighing on the blue-chip gauge.
Morgan Stanley sees stocks topping-out in 2018
Stocks around the world will probably top-out this year, and sooner than most observers think, Morgan Stanley said.
Koovs knows no specific reason for share price jump
AIM-listed online fashion retailer Koovs said on Wednesday that it is not aware of any specific reason for the jump in its share price.
GAN extends New Jersey contract with Paddy Power Betfair
Internet gaming enterprise software supplier GAN announced on Wednesday that key client Paddy Power Betfair has entered into a multi-year extension for the continued provision of platform services in the New Jersey online gaming market.