The UK 100 is called to open +7 points today at 7304.  The UK 100 looks set for a modest gain this morning, despite UK GDP growing less than expected.  This follows a strong session on Wall Street yesterday with the Dow Jones rising 560 points or 1.6% to finish the day at 35,492.  The S&P 500 was similarly strong, rising 1.78% to 4,649 whilst the Nasdaq went higher, adding 2.4% to 15,341. Small-cap focussed Russell 2,000 saw nearly 3% added, to close Tuesday at 2,202.  Asian markets gained on Wednesday even as a jump in COVID-19 cases globally, just days before Christmas, led to mobility restrictions in some countries.  The Nikkei in Japan rose 0.16% and South Korea’s Kospi lifted 0.27%.  China’s Shanghai Composite was unchanged while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.33%.

AstraZeneca says they are working with Oxford University to produce a vaccine for the Omicron coronavirus variant.

BHP Group chooses not to match Wyloo's takeover bid for Noront.

Ferrexpo declares a 6.6 US cents interim dividend, bring the total dividends for 2021 to date to 46.2 cents. As they state that this dividend reflects strong operating and financial performance in 2021.

Land Securities completes purchase of additional 25% stake in Bluewater for £172m.

NatWest: A unit of NatWest Group has agreed to pay around $35m and pleaded guilty to wire and securities fraud in relation to a long-running scheme by some of its traders to manipulate U.S. Treasury debt markets.

Rio Tinto has said it would buy the Rincon lithium project in Argentina for around $825m as the global miner builds its battery materials business.

Taylor Wimpey confirms that the CMA investigation into historical sales of leaseholds closes with the investigation finding no issues.

Jefferies Downgrades Cineworld to Hold from Buy (2 Buys / 7 Holds / 1 Sell)