ADVFN-UK

European technology companies may have no shortage of ambition, innovation or world-class ideas, but turning those ideas into global businesses requires something equally important: growth capital. For Molten Ventures (LSE:GROW), that need is creating a significant opportunity.

Spot gold rose above $4,400 an ounce on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar weakened, reversing part of the metal’s decline over the previous three trading sessions. At 22:04 ET (06:04 GMT), spot gold was up 1.1% at $4,402.41 an ounce. Gold futures increased 0.2% to $4,445.85. Silver and platinum also advanced, with spot silver gaining 1.5% to $66.76 an ounce and platinum rising 1.6% to $1,848.23. The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.2% to 98.70.

Brent crude briefly reached $100 a barrel on Wednesday as investors monitored further military exchanges involving the United States and Iran, while U.S. equity futures showed limited movement ahead of upcoming inflation data and central bank meetings. At 02:48 ET (06:48 GMT), S&P 500 futures were 6 points higher, equivalent to 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 57 points, or 0.2%. Dow futures were little changed.

© Adobe Stock Images European and British wholesale natural gas prices rose on Wednesday as markets assessed the potential impact of escalating military activity involving the United States and Iran on liquefied natural gas supplies through the Middle East. The front-month Dutch TTF contract reached €79 per megawatt-hour, its highest level since 2023. In Britain, the equivalent NBP wholesale gas contract rose to 196 pence per therm, reaching its highest level since late 2022.

UK markets open cautiously as Gulf tensions pressure shares, Mortgage Advice Bureau cuts guidance and Anpario reports earnings growth. Market Overview The FTSE 100 opened broadly unchanged at 10,811.44, down 0.002 per cent from its previous close, as escalating Middle East strikes and renewed concerns over regional oil supplies weighed on sentiment.

© Novepress European equities moved lower on Wednesday as investors assessed rising energy prices, further developments in the Middle East and expectations for an interest rate increase from the European Central Bank. The pan-European STOXX 600 declined 0.4%. Industrial, consumer discretionary and interest-rate-sensitive growth stocks were among the sectors trading lower, while energy and defence shares recorded gains.

© PXHere Euro zone government bond yields remained near multi-year highs on Wednesday as investors assessed higher energy prices and expectations for an interest rate increase from the European Central Bank at its Thursday policy meeting. Germany’s benchmark 10-year Bund yield traded around 3.382%, remaining close to the highest level since August 2011 reached during the previous session.

The FTSE 100 moved lower on Wednesday as investors assessed further military developments involving the United States and Iran, while Brent crude approached $100 a barrel. The UK benchmark was down 0.28% as of 03:18 ET (07:18 GMT). Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s DAX declined 0.52% and France’s CAC 40 fell 0.70%. Sterling gained 0.19% against the U.S. dollar to $1.3567. Oil prices continued to rise, with Brent crude up 2.1% at $99.97 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate gaining 1.71% to $94.64.

European oil and gas shares moved higher on Tuesday as an escalation in the Middle East coincided with crude prices reaching their highest levels since late July. Brent crude futures gained 2.1% to $99.93 a barrel by 04:09 ET (08:09 GMT), putting the international benchmark close to $100. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1.4% to $94.31 a barrel. The STOXX Europe 600 Oil & Gas Index advanced 0.8%, making energy one of the leading sectors within the broader European market.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) and AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) reported results from a late-stage clinical trial evaluating a combination of Amgen’s Imdelltra and AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi as a maintenance treatment for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. The trial compared Imdelltra plus Imfinzi with Imfinzi alone in patients whose disease had not progressed following standard initial therapy.