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Debenhams to cut jobs faster after Christmas profit warning, takeover talk grows
Debenhams has pledged to accelerate its restructuring plans after issuing the first profit warning of 2018 as sales fell and "tactical promotional action" misfired in the department store group's crucial festive period.
London close: FTSE touches 7700 as Wall Street confidence spreads
London stocks took confidence from their US and European counterparts on Thursday afternoon, even though the pound ticked up against the dollar following decent services data, while a profit warning from Debenhams weighed on retail shares.
IAG traffic and capacity expand further
British Airways owner IAG reported further growth in capacity and passenger traffic for December.
Friday preview: US payrolls and earnings to increase Fed 'head scratching'
Friday is US non-farm payrolls day, with the numbers coming hot on the heels of news of a split in the Federal Reserve over the pace of interest rate rises this year.
Ocado on the rise as deal rumours swirl
Shares in Ocado, the online grocery specialist, marched higher on Thursday as City chatter grew louder about a potential new overseas contract and renewed talk of a possible takeover bid.
Melrose sees future boost to earnings, Nortek disposals from Trump tax cut
Melrose Industries said US tax cuts signed off by Donald Trump at the end of last year will reduce its group effective tax rate for 2018.
Debenhams may need to cut dividend after profit warning, analysts caution
Debenhams is likely to be forced to cut the dividend it pays to shareholders after the department store chain lowered its full year profit guidance due to poor trading over Christmas.
China's services sector improves, Caixin survey shows
China's services sector grew at its fastest pace in more than three years in December, according to a survey released overnight.
Services PMI beats forecast, but new business slows and inflation rises
UK services firms reported slightly stronger growth than expected in December but growth in new orders fell to a 16-month low, a survey on the dominant sector of the economy revealed on Thursday.
Debenhams issues profit warning, Whitbread appoints new chairman
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to add 16 points on Thursday, having finished at 7,671. 11 the prior session.
Whitbread appoints Adam Crozier as chairman amid Costa sale rumours
Whitbread has appointed former ITV and Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier as its new chairman, just as City chatter swirls about a potential break-up of the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner.