Market Report
Le Pen's long odds attract new punters to French political betting
Gamblers have been piling in to bet on far-right candidate Marine Le Pen wrestling a surprise win over centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron next month, according to bookmakers.
FX round-up: Generally upbeat sterling dips on dollar ahead of Trump tax reforms unveiling
Sterling enjoyed a relatively rosy day on most key crosses, but fell against a resurgent US dollar ahead of US President Donald Trump outlining his proposed tax reforms later on Wednesday.
White House prepares executive order withdrawing from NAFTA
The Trump administration is preparing an executive order to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Europe close: Slights gains ahead of ECB
European equities finished the session slightly higher as investors looked to the European Central Bank’s policy decision on Thursday and a potential tax reform announcement in the US later in the day.
Thursday preview: Dovish ECB expected, WPP could turn cautious
The European Central Bank is forecast to leave its main policies unchanged in its meets this week, following a March meeting when the market made a rather hawkish interpretation of the outcome.
London close: FTSE higher ahead of Trump's tax reform unveiling
Stocks in London ended Wednesday on a positive note ahead of US President Donald Trump's big unveiling of his much-anticipated tax reform proposals.
Deutsche Bank executive warns Brexit could endanger 4,000 jobs
One of Deutsche Bank's top executives has warned as many as 4,000 jobs at the lender could be at risk due to Britain's impending departure from the European Union.
Green & Smart takes out loan as it progresses biogas projects
Malaysia-focussed palm oil mill effluent biogas renewable energy generator Green & Smart Holdings announced on Wednesday that it entered into a 12 month loan of approximately MYR 1. 41m (£0. 25m) with an unnamed UK-based lender at an interest rate of 1% per month.
Aura Energy makes strong progress on Tiris study
Aura Energy advised on Wednesday that the various elements of the Tiris Definitive Feasibility Study were continuing to progress “strongly”, with activity in all the principal areas of the study.
Obtala commits to a number of social goals in Tanzania
Africa-focussed agriculture and forestry company Obtala announced on Wednesday that it signed a letter of intent expressing the company's commitment to build sustainable and inclusive business in Tanzania through investment activities associated with the ‘Grow Africa’ partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Vela Tech subscribes for 1.1m more Rosslyn shares
Early-stage and pre-IPO focussed disruptive technology investment company Vela Technologies announced on Wednesday that it conditionally subscribed for 1,111,111 ordinary shares in Rosslyn Data Technologies, an existing investee company, at 4. 5p per share for a consideration of £50,000.
Commodities: Crude bounces off lows as EIA data shows fall in US inventories
Crude futures bounced off earlier lows on Wednesday afternoon as US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed a surprise fall in inventories last week.
Twitter shares jump as traffic continues to accelerate in Q1
Twitter continued to be mired in red ink during the first quarter despite continued and accelerating growth of activity on its site, amid revenue headwinds.
US open: Stocks little changed as investors eye Trump tax announcement
US stocks were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited a speech on tax reform by President Donald Trump.
Small cap news round-up
Glanbia is to sell a 60% stake in its Irish dairy business, to Glanbia Co-operative Society for €112m.
FTSE 250 movers: Aggreko gains ahead of update, Tullow gushes lower
London's FTSE 250 index was up 0. 5% to 19,670. 48 in afternoon trade.
WTI futures spike higher following DoE inventory data
US crude oil inventories fell sharply last week despite rising imports as product stockpiles continued to build.
FTSE 100 movers: Standard Chartered rallies on results, GKN drops
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 2% to 7,287. 12 in afternoon trade as investors digested comments from US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who confirmed that Donald Trump plans to cut corporate tax to 15% from 35%.
GSK slips despite strong first quarter debut for Emma Walmsley
GlaxoSmithKline's new chief executive Emma Walmsley reported a strong first set of quarterly results, as the drug group grew sales better than forecast, improved profit margins and kept its dividend on track.
Mariana Resources rockets on merger proposal with Sandstorm
Mariana Resources has agreed to merge with US based royalty company Sandstorm, which sees the AIM-listed explorer's shares valued at 109. 71p and would see its shareholders own 19% of the enlarged group.