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US close: Tech stocks lead the surge
US stocks rose strongly on Thursday with tech names leading the surge as investors continued to absorb comments from the Federal Reserve the previous session, who reassured that interest rates are unlikely to rise despite stickier-than-expected inflation.
UK retail footfall falls sharply in April
Retail footfall fell sharply in April, industry data showed on Friday, hit by poor weather and the early timing of Easter.
London close: Stocks rise on back of well-received earnings
London’s stocks finished with gains on Thursday, fuelled by strong performances from key players like Standard Chartered and Smurfit Kappa.
Shell beats estimates as profit hits $7.7bn, unveils $3.5bn buyback
Oil and gas giant Shell on Thursday reported much better-than-expected first-quarter earnings on the back of higher margins from crude and oil products trading and also unveiled a new $3.5bn share buyback.
AstraZeneca reports positive results from blood cancer drug trial
AstraZeneca has reported positive results from the use of its Calquence drug in a clinical trial to treat a rare type of blood cancer.
FTSE 100 movers: Smurfit shoots higher; Glencore goes ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.6% at 8,173.17 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
London midday: Stocks up but off highs as StanChart surges on results
London stocks were still in the black but off earlier highs by midday on Thursday, helped along by solid performances from the likes of Standard Chartered and Smurfit Kappa, as investors continued to digest the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.
Europe close: Stocks finish mostly lower as data disappoints
European stock markets finished in mixed fashion on Thursday with the regional Stoxx 600 slipping into the red by the close as investors were met with weak economic data as they returned to their desks following the Labour Day holiday.
Moderna bets big on RSV vaccine as full-year guidance unchanged
Moderna saw its share price surge on Thursday after posting a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss as the Covid vaccine maker sets its sights on regulatory approvals of its second product later in the year.
Gazprom swings to $6.9bn loss as Europe sales plunge
Russia's natural gas heavyweight Gazprom swung to huge loss in 2023 after sales to Europe dropped due to Western sanctions on Moscow.
Director dealings: Breedon CEO raises stake
Breedon Group revealed on Thursday that chief executive Rob Wood had acquired 10,909 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed construction materials company.
ArcelorMittal smashes profit forecasts in first quarter
Luxembourg-based steel titan ArcelorMittal beat forecasts with its first-quarter profits on Thursday as it painted a positive outlook for global steel demand.
RBC Capital downgrades Alpha FMC after share price surge
RBC Capital Markets downgraded Alpha Financial Markets on Thursday to ‘sector perform’ from ‘outperform’ following the surge in the share price a day earlier after the financial services consultancy confirmed it had been approached by two parties about a possible takeover.
Friday preview: U.S. non-farm payrolls, Trainline in the spotlight
The market spotlight on Friday will revert back to the U.S. jobs market, as it does early each month.
Europe midday: Shares trim losses despite grim EZ survey data
European shares trimmed losses on Thursday as weak manufacturing survey data dampened sentiment as traders returned from the May Day holiday amid another dump of earnings and trading updates.
Hugo Boss shares tank as APAC sales miss forecasts
Shares in Hugo Boss tanked on Thursday despite first-quarter results beating forecasts, as the German fashion group reported falling sales in the key market of China.
Peloton announces CEO departure; to cut 15% of workforce
Peloton announced the departure of its chief executive on Thursday, alongside plans to cut around 15% of its workforce amid a restructuring programme aimed at reducing annual expenses by more than $200m.
BHP deploys team to SA to woo officials over Anglo deal - report
BHP has reportedly deployed a team of senior executives to South Africa as it ramps up efforts to win over government officials, regulators and local shareholders, all of whom could yet determine the outcome of its proposed tie-up with rival Anglo American.
London cabbies launch £250m legal action against Uber
Uber Technologies is facing legal action on behalf of more than 10,500 London black cab drivers, it was confirmed on Thursday.
US open: Stocks higher following FOMC decision
Wall Street trading got off to a positive start on Thursday as investors continued to feast on corporate earnings and another slew of data points.
Revolution Bars confirms takeover talks with Nightcap
Revolution Bars confirmed on Thursday that it has held "an exploratory meeting" with Piano Works owner Nightcap about a range of possible transactions, including a potential takeover.
Reach shares rally as optimistic guidance offsets revenue decline
Shares in publishing firm Reach rallied early on Thursday as optimistic guidance helped offset news of a decline in first-quarter revenues.
US jobless claims hold steady in week ended 26 April
The number of Americans lining up for unemployment benefits was unchanged at 208,000 in the week ended 27 April, according to the Labor Department, remaining at the lowest level in two months and firmly below market expectations for a reading of 212,000.
Goldman Sachs to scrap bonus cap for UK dealmakers
Goldman Sachs will remove a cap on bonuses for its London-based staff, according to Sky News, with the firm now set to resume making multi-million-pound payouts to its top-performing traders and dealmakers.