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US close: Stocks eke out gains as oil prices recover
US stocks eked out small gains after a choppy session as oil prices recovered, but investors were reluctant to make any bold moves ahead of Friday’s all-important nonfarm payrolls report.
Bonds: BoE won't cut rates despite weak services PMI, analysts say
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bonds:.
Sector Movers: Resource stocks tick higher, housebuilders slip further
Resource stocks ticked higher on Thursday, but housebuilders slid further as the FTSE 100 closed lower.
Europe close: Stocks end lower ahead of monthly US jobs report
Most European stock benchmarks ended lower on Thursday, with investors pausing for breath after five consecutive days of gains and ahead of a key US jobs report he next day.
London close: FTSE closes lower as traders sift through data
The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Thursday following a batch of downbeat economic data.
Commodities: Oil rally extends to fourth successive session
Oil prices rallied on Thursday for the fourth successive session, with Brent and WTI futures posting gains for much of the European afternoon.
Boeing unveils self-cleaning toilet
Travelling germophobes could soon be much happier doing their business at 30,000 feet, with Boeing unveiling its self-cleaning 'Clean Lavatory' on Thursday.
Director dealings: Poundland's new CEO buys in as company kicked out of 250
The day after his appointment as new chief executive of Poundland, Kevin O'Byrne bought shares costing the equivalent of 547,781 Charlie Dimmock-branded wooden-handled trowels, or 547,781 Messy Mutts small microfibre towel, or 547,781 tubs of Lyles Golden Syrup in the single-priced retailer's stores.
Small caps news round-up
Sunrise Resources updated the market on its position following the acquisition of its investment Taoudeni Resources on Thursday, by ISDX-traded Goldcrest Resources. Following completion of the transaction, and as a result of its seed capital shareholding in Taoudeni, Sunrise now held 116,618,627 ordinary shares in Goldcrest, which represented 5. 57% of the enlarged share capital.
Sunrise Resources wins following Taoudeni sale
Sunrise Resources updated the market on its position following the acquisition of its investment Taoudeni Resources on Thursday, by ISDX-traded Goldcrest Resources.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Virgin Money, Challenger banks
Homes are not always a safe repository of value, as property busts show, but at the moment they are the safest corner of the UK banking space.
Uncertainty sparks break-up process at LiteBulb
Branded product developer LiteBulb announced on Thursday it had ditched its strategy of securing £2m financing through an equity fundraising, alongside a restructuring of its debt, as announced on 22 February, and was embarking on a disposals process.
Brexit would not benefit UK economy, City currency analysts agree
Not one single forex strategist believed Britain voting to leave the European Union in the 23 June referendum would benefit the UK economy, according to a new poll.
US central bank should be patient in raising interest rates
The US central bank should be “patient” when it comes to interest rate hikes, the president of the Federal Reserve bank of Dallas said.
US open: Stocks fall as investors cautious ahead of non-farms report
US stocks fell on Thursday as investors erred on the side of caution before the release of Friday’s non-farm payrolls report.
FX Roundup: Dollar takes a tumble on ISM, jobs data
The dollar headed lower against major crosses on Thursday, following a sequence of disappointing macroeconomic data.
Broker tips: Stagecoach, Shawbrook
Stagecoach Group’s shares declined on Thursday as Investec cut its rating to ‘sell’ from ‘reduce’ and target price to 250p from 300p.
Results round-up
Shares in Admiral raced ahead on Thursday after the insurer posted a forecast-beating and record 6% jump in full year pre-tax profit as its car insurance customers grew.
Earthport deal does little for investors
Earthport announced a new agreement for services with foreign exchange payroll specialist The FX Firm on Thursday, though that appeared to do little for investor appetites.
US service sector cools off modestly in February
Activity in the US services sector slowed down slightly last month, albeit by less than most economists had forecast.