Latest News
US open: Wall Street set to test record highs, pundits say
US stocks continued their push into the black for the year and the quarter ahead of Friday´s all important monthly jobs report, with some well-known pundits and strategists beginning to eye a return to record levels for some of the main stock market gauges.
FTSE 250 movers: Analysts lead resources higher, Interserve sinks
The FTSE 250 was cruising just below the line on Thursday afternoon, as investors digested fresh data pointing to weak consumer confidence, and a wider current account deficit in the fourth quarter.
Chicago PMI rises more than expected in March
The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ index rose six points to 53. 6 in March, led by sharp rebounds in production and employment.
FTSE 100 movers: Tui flies higher on trading update but Pearson drops
London’s FTSE 100 index was down 0. 3% to 6,182. 73 at 1430 GMT as investors digested weak UK data releases and a bigger-than-expected rise in US initial jobless claims.
Thursday broker round-up
Royal Mail: Jefferies reiterates underperform with a target price of 400p.
Initial weekly US unemployment claims rise
Initial unemployment claims moved modestly higher in the week ending on 26 March.
Key components of EM cycle turning more favourable, Credit Suisse says
Greater stability in global capital markets led Credit Suisse to add to its allocation to emerging market assets from those countries considered to be more 'value' stories instead of 'growth'.
Carney calls for balanced policy response to nurture recovery
Low rates of nominal economic growth create challenges that cannot be overcome by central banks alone, Bank of England governor Mark Carney said.
Orphan drug specialist Amryt Pharma to reverse into AIM's Fastnet
Headed by Shire founder Harry Stratford as its chairman, speciality drug company Amryt Pharmaceuticals has confirmed its plan to reverse into AIM-listed Fastnet, raise £10m and acquire two drug developing businesses.
BP and CNPC sign shale gas production sharing contract
London-listed oil giant BP and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have signed a production sharing contract (PSC) for shale gas exploration, development and production in the Neijiang-Dazu block in the Sichuan Basin, China.
Fidessa shares jump on takeover chatter
Software and services firm Fidessa rallied on Thursday, with traders pointing to talk in FT Alphaville of a US private equity bid for the London-listed firm.
February mortgage approvals fall from New Year high
Mortgage approvals in Britain fell for the first time since September last month, but were still close to the two-year high seen in January, according to fresh Bank of England data released on Thursday morning.
European Metals partners with Dorfner Anzaplan
European Metals Holdings took a major step in the development of its Cinovec Lithium Project in the Czech Republic on Thursday, appointing Dorfner Anzaplan to conduct the next level of advanced test work following positive results from recent independent studies.
CMC Markets trading in line, helped by volatile markets
CMC Markets, the spreadbetting firm that floated in London early last month, said trading has been in line with its expectations, with recent market volatility helping to drive growth.
Results round-up
Polypipe’s first full year as a listed company saw more massive growth, with the plastic piping and ventilation systems manufacturer reporting strong increases in revenue and earnings in its final results on Thursday.
Majority of Britons will vote to remain in EU, especially younger ones, poll shows
A majority of Britons was set vote to stay inside the European club of nations in the upcoming 23 June Brexit referendum, the results of a new on-line survey showed, but the poll also put in stark relief a notable divide between younger and older generations and a negative response to the latest Budget.
Europe midday: Stocks in the red as oil slips back; investors eye US data
European stocks fell on Thursday as oil prices retreated and investors awaited some key US data releases.
London midday: Stocks fall after weak UK data
London stocks slumped as data revealed UK consumer confidence remained low and the UK current account deficit widened in the fourth quarter.
Hilton Foods results beat expectations as meat volumes rise
Full year results from Hilton Foods were better than expected but the retail meat packer said its forecasts for 2016 were unchanged for now.
S&P downgrades China's credit outlook to negative
Standard & Poor’s cut China’s credit rating to negative from stable, saying the country’s economic rebalancing is likely to proceed more slowly than it had expected.