Markets

Miners lift FTSE but inflationary fears cap gains 9:27am BST

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - British blue-chip shares eked out modest gains early on Wednesday, as miners thrust higher by merger and acquisition talk partly offset a banking sector bruised by an increasingly tough inflationary climate. Full Article

FTSE

6,201.50 -10.40 -0.17%

DJIA

12,832.18 -44.13 -0.34%

NIKKEI

14,118.55 +164.82 +1.18%

World Markets

U.S. MARKET REPORT

US futures flat ahead of CPI, Freddie Mac, Macy's 10:58am BST

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks looked set to open steady on Wednesday with investors focusing on key inflation data and corporate earnings from the housing and retail sectors. Full Article

European Market Report

EADS, miners lift Europe shares; UK banks lag 9:46am BST

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Wednesday as takeover talk boosted miners and strong results powered aerospace and defence group EADS , while concern over the need for more rights issues hit British banks. Full Article

Tokyo Market Report

Nikkei hits 4-month closing high, exporters rise 8:07am BST

TOKYO, May 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.2 percent on Wednesday to a four-month closing high as industrial robot maker Fanuc Ltd and other exporters gained on a weaker yen, though banks dragged on the market after pessimistic comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Full Article

Hong Kong Market Report

HK stocks steady as quake fears ease; track Shanghai 10:02am BST

HONG KONG, May 14 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks held steady on Wednesday as fears eased over the economic impact of China's devastating earthquake, offsetting concerns over record high oil prices and pessimistic comments by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Full Article