Market Report
United Carpets warns profits will be 'significantly lower'
United Carpets told investors on Wednesday that trading throughout the early summer period had been "difficult" due to the UK's long, hot summer.
US close: Markets mixed ahead of post-Florence jobless claims
Wall Street trading ended on a mixed note on Wednesday, as the Dow moved closer to an all-time high, despite trade tensions between the US and China that were still weighing heavily on sentiment.
Europe close: Stocks shrug-off trade tensions, Basic Resources leads rally
European stocks saw across-the-board gains on Wednesday, underpinned by a solid performance from the basic resources sector, as investors' apprehension around global trade talks eased a bit, although many analysts remained quite cautious.
London close: Footsie buoyed by miners
Stocks finished near their best levels of the session on the back of gains in miners' shares and as early strength in sterling wore off.
UK calls for regulating 'wild west' cryptocurrencies
UK lawmakers on the Treasury select committee have called for regulation of cryptocurrencies which they consider to be "wild west" assets that expose investors to risks.
Peer-to-peer-lender-Funding Circle aims for £1.8bn valuation
Peer-to-peer lender Funding Circle said it hoped to raise around £300m when it floats in London in an offer open to institutional and private investors.
US open: Dow moves to within 1% of all-time high
Wall Street trading started off with some mixed returns on Wednesday as the Dow moved to within 1% of an all-time high, despite trade tensions between the US and China that were still weighing heavily on sentiment.
Landore Resources narrows losses on decreased exploration and administrative expenses
Landore Resources narrowed losses throughout the first of its trading year thanks to a significant reduction in exploration costs.
Director dealings: IG Design founder lowers stake
AC Artistic Limited, a trust in which IG Design Group founder and non-executive director Anders Hedlund holds a beneficial interest in, disposed of 500,000 ordinary shares in the company.
Broker tips: SSE, Smiths Group, Vodafone
Deutsche Bank upgraded SSE to 'buy' from 'sell' on Wednesday, lifting the price target to 1,250p from 1,200p after shares tanked last week on the back of a profit warning.
Thursday preview: Brexit, retail sales and Diageo in focus
All things Brexit will continue to be high on the agenda on Thursday, as the European leaders' summit in Salzburg wraps-up.
Sector movers: Miners lifted as Chinese demand supports base metals
A rise in copper prices drove gains for miners on Wednesday, while utilities companies led on the downside.
FTSE 250 movers: Miners surge but Greencore gets shelved
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 20% at 20,500. 09 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Hardide sees full-year revenue ahead of market expectations
AIM-listed Hardide said on Wednesday that revenue for the year to 30 September is expected to be ahead of market expectations thanks to stronger-than-anticipated demand from two major supply agreements.
PHP buys keyworker flats at Wansbeck General
Primary Health Properties has acquired a modern keyworker accommodation unit located next to Wansbeck General Hospital for a total consideration of £22. 8m.
May's dismissal of Barnier border offer sinks pound
Prime Minister Theresa May is preparing to reject an improved European Union offer to solve the issue of the Irish border post Brexit, reports stated on Wednesday, knocking the pound back from its seven week high.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally but Kingfisher slumps on results
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% to 7,331. 62 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors digested a surprise jump in UK inflation.
US current account deficit narrows to 2.0% of GDP in Q2
America's current account deficit with the rest of the world narrowed more quickly than expected during the second quarter.
Big Sofa wins PepsiCo in-home analysis contract
Video analytics provider Big Sofa Technologies Group has been awarded a $0. 35m global project by US food and beverage multinational PepsiCo, it announced on Wednesday, for the deployment of in-home and in-store behaviour analysis tool Video Observer.
SkinBioTherapeutics begins human study on SkinBiotix
Life science company SkinBioTherapeutics has commenced its human study being carried out on its ‘SkinBiotix’ technology, it announced on Wednesday.