Market Pulse
US close: Dow, S & P 500 close at session highs as Fed starts QE taper
The Dow Industrials and S & P 500 ended slightly higher even as the US Federal Reserve announced the historic end to its balance sheet expansion, although the Nasdaq was held back by losses in shares of Apple.
Federal Reserve to start taper in October, nudges rate forecast lower
America's central bank has stuck to script - or almost - announcing it will begin to taper the size of its balance sheet next month while keeping the target for its main policy interest rate unchanged at between 1. 0% and 1. 25%.
Fortum and E.ON in 'advanced talks' for sale of Uniper stake
Finnish firm Fortum announced on Wednesday that it was in advanced talks with E. ON over the potential €3. 76bn purchase of German energy company Uniper.
Europe close: Spanish stocks underperform
European stocks ended the session little changed amid moderate selling pressure on Spanish stocks on the back of the latest news around the attempted independence referendum in Catalonia and ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the session.
Apple discovers issues in new smartwatch 48 hours before shipping
Tech juggernaut Apple announced on Wednesday that its new Series 3 smartwatches had been experiencing significant connectivity issues just days before they were due to be shipped.
London close: Strength in Sterling puts a lid on stocks
London stocks traded fairly flat on Wednesday as the pound popped higher on the back of stronger than expected retail sales data, even as traders waited on the US Federal Reserve's policy announcement later in the day.
Ryanair may face new pilot battle amid flight cancellation fallout
Budget airline Ryanair was battling to deal with the 2,100 flights it cancelled this week after an error caused by a mix-up of pilots’ holidays, which could be followed by further problems with repercussions for its growth plans.
Higher imports, domestic output boost US oil stockpiles, DoE says
US oil inventories jumped last week even as rising imports offset a partial recovery at the country's refineries.
Thursday preview: Capita guidance and UK public sector debt under spotlight
Thursday in Europe will initially see any fallout from the US policy adjustments overnight, while in the UK Capita and Mitchells & Butlers investors have results to pore over, with an update on the public deficit later in the morning.
Bed Bath and Beyond fails to meet expectations again
Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY) shares suffered after the New Jersey-based home goods retailer fell short of market expectations yet again.
US open: Stocks mixed ahead of FOMC, Apple drags
Investors are sitting on their hands ahead of the US central's bank's eagerly-awaited policy meeting.
HTC suspends shares amid Google takeover speculation
Trading in shares of Taiwanese technology group HTC will be suspended on Thursday following reports that Google parent Alphabet is planning a takeover.
FTSE 250 movers: Domino's rallies on buyback; Metro hit by Macquarie note
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 19,554. 71 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US existing home sales unexpectedly drop in August
Sales of US existing homes unexpectedly fell in August, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
Investors told of 600 Group's 'confidence'
Machine tools and laser systems designer, distributor and manufacturer 600 Group updated the market on its trading on Wednesday, as investors gathered for its annual general meeting.
Rationale for asset purchases now gone, ECB's Knot says
The stronger euro reflects the relative strength and stability of the single currency bloc's economy, a top European Central bank official said.
FTSE 100 movers: Babcock gains on update but Diageo drops
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 2% to 7,260. 51 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as the pound gained ground after encouraging retail sales data, with the FOMC statement due after after the close very much in focus.
Blur Group to raise £1.2m through conditional placing
Blur Group announced on Wednesday that it intended to raise £1. 2m before expenses by way of a conditional placing of ordinary shares at a price of 4p per ordinary share, to raise gross proceeds of £1. 2m.
Frontier IP's Alusid extends SilicaStone range
Intellectual property commercialisation specialist Frontier IP noted on Wednesday that its portfolio company Alusid has launched an extension to its ‘SilicaStone’ range of sustainable alternatives to traditional stone.
Bank risks policy mistake by hiking in November, Credit Suisse says
Credit Suisse changed its rate call for the Bank of England to a hike in November, adding that it would be a 'one-off' and was likely to be a "big" policy mistake.