Under the cosh supermarkets, UK manufacturing data, Hong Kong protests and Royal Mail (LON:RMG) were among the themes piquing interest in web world midweek.
As if things couldn't get much more dire for the 'big four' supermarkets, there was more from Sainbsurys (LON:SBRY) and Tesco (LON:TSCO) today.
Sainsbury's shares sank 4.45% as it cut its full-year sales forecast for the year as the fierce market and shift towards convenience stores continues to hit trading.
Like-for-like retail sales in the 16 weeks to Sep 27 were down 2.8%, excluding fuel, and down 4.1% including forecourt sales, the firm told a trading update.
"These conditions are likely to persist for the foreseeable future and we now expect our like-for-like sales in the second half of the year to be similar to the first half," said Mike Coupe, chief executive, who took the helm at the grocer, once one of Britain's biggest by sales, after Justin King left in July.
Tesco shares lost 2.71% as it confirmed that it faces a probe from the regulator FCA after its shock profit warning and accounting problems.
The supermarket giant stunned the City a little more than a week ago when new chief executive Dave Lewis revealed a £250mln black hole in its accounts.
Things took an almost farcical turn soon after, when the company revealed departing finance directorLaurie Mcllwee had effectively been away from his desk for six months after he handed in his notice in April.
Today, in the latest twist, a story emerged on Sky news that thousands of staff from the store's head office have been ordered to come to the shopfloor in the run up to Christmas - a busy period always.
The programme is called 'Feet on the Floor' and will call for over 4,000 workers to come in once a fortnight in a store selected from a list across the UK.
Royal Mail (LON:RMG) was the biggest riser today - adding 3.32% - after seeing shares fall in recent days.
Broker UBS has removed its 'sell' stance on the stock.
Elsewhere, UK manufacturing data showed a fall to 51.6 - a 17 month low and one which was below a consensus forecast of 52.5 under one poll. The fall is likely to be noted by the interst rate setters at the Bank of England, and throws into more quesation whether an increase would be appropriate at this time of weak growth.
Among the more popular regulatory statements was one from KEFI Minerals’ (LON:KEFI) as the potential of its Tulu Kapi project was further underlined as the company unveiled cost estimates for the proposed gold mine in Ethiopia.
It said operating costs would be US$626 and all in costs are expected to be US$844 (which is well below the industry average), while the initial investment to build the operation is put at US$130mln.
KEFI said it will need a further US$20mln of working capital for start-up.
Also in the small caps, mining shaft excavator Shaft Sinkers (LON:SHFT) was given a short-term funding boost while it prepares a £9.2mln convertible loan note issue.
Hillside International has increased the loan facility to £5mln from £3.5mln, while a £3mln facility has also been agreed with TNKKazchrome JSC.
This facility will run for the entire life of the Kazchrome mineshaft project and is secured against the assets of Shaft Sinkers Kazakhstan.
Hillside’s loan, meanwhile, will be paid off by the convertible issue with Hillside subscribing for £5mln worth of the convertible notes.
Also in focus, internet video search firm Blinkx (LON:BLNX) dipped over 12% in early deals following a profit warning as seasonally slower summer months amplified an already below par trading performance.
Blinkx told investors that it now anticipates revenues between US$102mln and US$104mln for the six months ending September 30, and said that in terms of adjusted earnings it expects to break-even for the first half.
It follows a prior warning in July when it told investors that trading was below management expectations.