Market Pulse
US close: Stocks end on mixed note, despite Fed and tax cuts
Stocks finished on a mixed note after two rate-setters dissented from the Federal Reserve's widely-expected decision to hike rates.
Sector movers: Financials pace gains ahead of central bank policy decisions
Cyclicals paced gains on Wednesday, alongside a bounce in food retailers with financials figuring prominently ahead of interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday evening, as well as the Bank of England and European Central Bank the next day.
Director dealings: Ashtead's top brass sell at 52-week high
A large swathe of US-focused equipment rental company Ashtead's top brass offloaded a large part of their holdings of stock in the company even as the price hit a 52-week high.
FOMC hikes rates, but Evans and Kashkari dissent
The US central bank went ahead with its third rate hike of 2018, as expected, but two rate-setters dissented, voting instead for no change.
Disney close to sealing $60bn deal for Fox and Sky stake - reports
Walt Disney is reportedly set to secure a $60bn deal to buy 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets, including its 39% stake in UK broadcaster Sky.
US open: Stocks rise ahead of Fed rate decision
Stocks are trading higher ahead of the US central bank's policy announcement later in the day, bolstered by a weaker than expected reading on consumer prices.
Thursday preview: BoE, ECB, European Council, Bunzl, Ocado, Sports Direct
Thursday is a big day for the Brexit process as the European Council begins its two-day meeting in Brussels, while the Bank of England's and European Central Bank's rate setters are also convening and results are expected from the likes of Bunzl, Cussons, Ocado and Sports Direct.
Gasoline stockpiles build alongside increased domestic output
US crude oil inventories shrank more quickly than expected last week, albeit a large increase in domestic output and an offsetting large build in gasoline stockpiles.
Ubisense announces first satellite deployment of 'SmartSpace' platform
Enterprise location intelligence solutions provider Ubisense announced a new contract in the space and satellites sector on Wednesday - the first deployment in that sector for its SmartSpace platform and associated products.
Alexander Mining tech being assessed on Accudo assets
Alexander Mining updated the market on its business development activities on Wednesday, confirming that it has received an update from Accudo Metals regarding its agreement with the owners of the copper tenements and assets in Australia.
FTSE 250 movers: Serco surges on update; Sports Direct slips
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 20,090. 36 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors mulled the latest UK jobs data and looked ahead to an expected rate hike from the Fed.
US core CPI falls short of forecasts in November
Consumer prices in the US confounded economists again last month as core inflation fell short of their forecasts, weighed down by a sharp drop in apparel costs.
WTI off intra-day highs as OPEC revises US output forecasts higher
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has revised its projections for US shale output in 2017 and 2018 higher even as the degree of forward cover in the industrialised world continued to rise.
FTSE 100 movers: Intertek rises on acquisition; Ashtead hit by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% to 7,504. 37 in afternoon trade on Wednesday as investors continued to digest the latest UK jobs data.
KCR Residential acquires a further retirement apartment
KCR Residential announced on Wednesday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, K&C Osprey, has acquired a further apartment within one of its freehold retirement residential developments.
Lonmin confirms it now owns 100pc of Pandora venture
Lonmin announced the completion of the acquisition of Anglo American Platinum's 42. 5% interest in the Pandora joint venture on Wednesday, as well as Mvelaphanda Resources’ 7. 5% interest.
3i Infrastructure to sell stake in Finnish power company Elenia
3i Infrastructure has agreed to sell its stake in Finnish power company Elenia and a complementary district heating business to a consortium comprising Allianz Capital Partners, Macquarie Infrastructure and the State Pension Fund of Finland.
SigmaRoc acquires Poundfield Products in £10m deal
Buy-and-build construction materials group SigmaRoc has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Poundfield Products Group, a UK-based group of businesses specialising in patented concrete products and systems, for a total consideration of £10. 25m, it announced on Wednesday.
1pm subsidiary buys motor finance brokerage CarFinance2U
AIM-listed specialist provider of finance facilities to the SME sector, 1pm, said on Wednesday that its subsidiary Academy Leasing has bought Wirral-based motor finance brokerage, CarFinance2U.
Chariot spends year investing amid low-cost oil environment
Atlantic margins-focussed oil and gas exploration company Chariot Oil & Gas updated the market on its operations on Wednesday, prior to its 31 December year-end.