Latest News
Fnac jacks up Darty offer after Steinhoff's triple bid hike
The bidding war for France-focused electronics retailer Darty has intensified as longtime suitor Fnac upped its bid to 153p overnight, its second improved offer of the day as it battled South Africa-backed furniture retailer Conforma's 160p bid.
US close: Wall St on the back foot for first time since Friday
US stocks took a back step on Thursday for the first time in the week amid softer oil prices and mixed earnings and economic data.
FX round-up: US dollar strengthens as commodities slip, risk appettite wanes
The greenback clawed back some ground on Thursday despite a rather mixed spate of economic data in the States, after the European Central Bank left the door open to further stimulus should it be deemed necessary.
Commodities: Steel futures extend rally into fourth session
Steel futures extended a rally into a fourth day, reaching their highest levels since September 2014 after jumping by almost 8% on Thursday, on signs of strong demand and forecasts for more restrained supply growth.
National Grid hit by jump in UK debt yields
Public sector net borrowing in the UK only overshot the Chancellor’s target for the full fiscal year modestly, analysts said, but that was enough to push sovereign debt yields higher, knocking the likes of National Grid off their perch.
Iberdrola is different, Citi says, adds to Focus list
Shares in Iberdrola do not look cheap in comparison to its sector, but it is “different”, it is a ‘growth’ story in a shrinking sector, Citi said.
Market overview: National Grid knocked lower by Gilt issuance plans
1630: Strong gains for bank shares were unable to offset profit-taking in the likes of Anglo American and Antofagasta, while a sharp rise in 10-year Gilt yields took the wind out of National grid’s sales. That came as the DMO raised its issuance plans for this fiscal year from £129. 4bn to £131. 5bn in the wake of the most recent public sector borrowing data. Market-chatter about a diminished risk of Brexit referencing some of the more recent poll results may also have deprived Gilts of some of their safe-haven bid.
Europe close: Shares mixed, despite gains in banks
European stocks clambered back from their intra-day lows as the European Central Bank left the door open to further easing if necessary, amid a retreat in oil prices.
Game Digital agrees new asset-backed loan facility with main shareholder
Game Digital has agreed a new £100m asset-backed revolving loan facility with its hedge fund main shareholder Elliott Advisers.
SalvaRx subsidiary part of grant-receiving cancer drug consortium
SalvaRx announced a potential win for both shareholders and cancer patients on Thursday, with its subsidiary iOx being part of an 11-partner consortium receiving an €8. 3m Horizon 2020 grant from the European Commission for a potential new product.
Small caps news round-up
Hemodynamic monitoring company LiDCO was busy in the US capital this week, showing off its new technology LiDCOunity monitor at the 2016 Annual Congress of Advanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine. The conference is currently being held in Washington, D. C.
London close: Stocks fall as ECB leaves policy unchanged
London stocks finished lower on Thursday as traders weighed worse-than-expected UK retail sales data and the European Central Bank’s policy announcement.
LiDCO shows off new hemodynamic monitoring tech
Hemodynamic monitoring company LiDCO was busy in the US capital this week, showing off its new technology LiDCOunity monitor at the 2016 Annual Congress of Advanced Recovery and Perioperative Medicine.
Friday preview: Manufacturing PMIs in focus
Manufacturing sector activity growth in the US and the Eurozone is expected to accelerate in April, according to economists’ forecasts ahead of data on Friday.
Strategic Minerals outlines plan for Hanns Camp
Strategic Minerals was pressing ahead with its Hanns Camp nickel-copper sulphide project in Western Australia, having lodged a permit of work with the state’s Department of Mines.
Director dealings: Sthree director offloads to pay tax
Recruiter Sthree's US operations director Steve Quinn sold £132,000 worth of the company's shares the morning of its annual general meeting.
FTSE 100 movers: Ashtead boosted while Anglo American slides further
The FTSE 100 was trading below the line on Thursday afternoon, as investors reacted to a bigger-than-expected drop in UK retail sales for March, and a hostile shareholder meeting for Anglo American got underway.
Euro area consumer confidence perks up in April after months of decline
Consumers in the Eurozone grew slightly more upbeat in April, according to the results of one of the most widely-followed sentiment surveys.
Volkswagen said to raise emissions scandal provisions to up to €20bn
Beleaguered German car maker Volkswagen is reportedly lifting its provisions to pay for the emissions scandal to between €10bn and €20bn from €6. 7bn.
FTSE 250 movers: Acacia shines but Petrofac weighed by downgrade
London’s FTSE 250 index was down 0. 4% to 16,944. 12 in afternoon trading.