Market Report
World Cup Preview: Russia v Saudi Arabia
After an arduous four year wait the World Cup is finally back and kicks off on Thursday with hosts Russia facing off against Saudi Arabia.
House prices stem declines in May, RICS survey shows
House prices stemmed their declines in May and there were other tentative signs of life in the property market, the latest monthly survey of surveyors showed.
Federal Reserve hikes rates, inflation not yet sustainably at 2.0%
The US central bank tightened policy as expected on Wednesday, with the tone of its policy statement at first glance appearing to signal that it might step up the pace of tightening a bit, according to some market observers.
US close: Stocks slip in late trading amid China tariff news, banks dip
Wall Street slipped into the red in the final hour of trading after US rate-setters had signalled a slightly faster pace of policy tightening in 2018 and amid reports that the White House was likely to announce tariffs on Chinese goods - possibly as soon as Friday.
Bonds: US Treasury curve flattens after FOMC
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
White House set to move ahead with tariffs on Chinese goods
The US may levy tariffs on tens of billions of dollars-worth of Chinese-made goods over the next week, perhaps as soon as Friday.
Bitcoin's meteoric rise was the result of manipulation, new report says
As much as half of the Bitcoin boom in 2017 may have been part of a campaign of price manipulation, according to a new paper by John Griffin, an academic known for his ability to spot fraud in financial markets.
Commodities: WTI gains on weekly stockpile data, despite record US crude output
Commodity prices were mostly higher on Wednesday, as the US dollar eased lower and following the release of a bullish set of weekly crude oil inventory figures.
Europe close: Stocks mostly higher ahead of Fed decision
Stocks on the Continent were mostly higher as investors waited on the result of the US central bank's policy meeting later on Wednesday evening, with the European Central Bank's own policy meeting set for the next day.
London close: Stocks hug the flatline ahead of Fed's Powell, rate decision
London stocks finished the session little changed as investors bid their time ahead of the US central bank's policy announcement which was scheduled for later on Wednesday evening.
FTSE 100 movers: Glencore gains on Congo deal, Just Eat digests rival plans
London's FTSE 100 index ended a touch higher on Wednesday, led by Glencore and a group of travel and leisure companies.
Jefferies has had enough of Tate and Lyle 'for now'
Tate and Lyle's new chief executive Hampton has already left a mark on the agribusiness, providing fresh clarity on strategy and decisive action on costs, something that has seen the firm's share price be well-rewarded.
Broker tips: Talk Talk, Oxford Biomedica, IQE, Connect Group, Boohoo
TalkTalk shares surged on Wednesday on the back of a double upgrade from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which reckoned guidance and consensus were achievable for the first time in four years.
Gatwick Airport to spend £1.1bn on expansion
London’s Gatwick airport said it plans to spend £1. 1bn on expanding its capacity by 7m passengers within the next five years.
Thursday preview: ECB goals expected ahead of World Cup kickoff
Thursday's World Cup kick off in Russia could prove underwhelming compared to the earlier European Central Bank policy meeting and press conference, which has got the City positively frothing with excitement.
Telit director resigns shortly after firm establishes new board of directors
AIM-listed Internet of Things enabler Telit Communications told investors on Wednesday that executive director Enrico Testa had resigned as a director of the company with immediate effect.
US producer prices rise more quickly than expected in May
Wholesale prices in the US rose more quickly-than-expected last month, on the back of almost across-the-board increases.
US open: Slightly firmer open on the Street ahead of latest Fed policy announcement
Stocks on Wall Street kicked off the day slightly firmer on Wednesday as investors awaited the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve and waited for further clues on the path of rate hikes this year.
LMS Capital awaiting more details on sale of Penguin Computing shares
LMS Capital announced on Wednesday that it has been informed by the general partner of San Francisco Equity Partners Fund 1 (SFEP 1) that the fund has received proceeds from the sale of its investment in Penguin Computing, and that the transaction giving rise to those proceeds also included the sale of the LMS’ co-investment in Penguin.
Director dealings: Boohoo CFO takes Barclays's advice, sells 1.55m shares
Neil Catto, chief financial officer of online fashion retailer Boohoo, disposed of 1. 55m ordinary shares in the AIM-quoted firm following a downgrade to the company's stock by analysts at Barclays.