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Europe midday: Stocks edge lower ahead of ECB announcement
European stocks fell on Thursday as investors looked to the European Central Bank’s latest rate announcement and amid steadying oil prices.
London midday: Stocks fall after UK retail sales data misses forecasts
The FTSE 100 was under pressure on Thursday after official data showed UK retail sales fell more than expected in March.
Sutton Harbour considering sale
Sutton Harbour Holdings said it was considering a sale to enable future growth, adding that it expected full year trading results to be in line with expectations.
Results round-up
FTSE 100 subscription broadcaster Sky reported strong growth in customer numbers on Thursday, claiming it surpassed the 40 million home mark in the UK and Ireland.
Atlantis and SBS to work on Indonesian tidal power project
Atlantis Resources announced a major new deal on Thursday, entering into a memorandum of understanding with international marine and subsea energy developer SBS over a planned tidal stream project in the Indonesian archipelago.
Broker tips: Zoopla, Victrex, Sky
Barclays downgraded Zoopla to ‘equalweight’ from ‘overweight’ but lifted the price target to 295p from 270p, saying the valuation on the core property services business is up with events.
US pre-open: Flat start seen as oil prices steady
US futures pointed to a broadly flat open on Wall Street as oil prices hovered around the flat line.
Sound Energy starts drilling on Moroccan well
European/Mediterranean focused upstream oil and gas company Sound Energy said it had started drilling of the first well at Tendrara, onshore Morocco.
UBS downgrades Standard Chartered to 'sell' on overoptimistic premium
UBS has downgraded Standard Chartered to 'sell' from 'neutral' after the emerging markets-focused bank recovered more than 40% from its February lows and stands at a hefty premium to many peers.
Gfinity unveils Xbox tournament creation app
Gfinity said it had launched a tournament builder app for Xbox One users.
Comment: Beyond the ECB's monetary policy and the EURUSD impact
By Ipek Ozkardeskaya, analyst at London Capital Group.
Barclays downgrades Zoopla, says valuation up with events
Barclays downgraded Zoopla to ‘equalweight’ from ‘overweight’ but lifted the price target to 295p from 270p, saying the valuation on the core property services business is up with events.
Asia report: Markets leave China behind amid liquidity concerns
Major markets in Asia advanced on Thursday, with Japan extending gains, though Chinese equities ended down after a choppy day of trading.
Berenberg downgrades Victrex to 'hold'
Berenberg downgraded Victrex to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and cut the price target to 1,620 from 1,800 citing a lack of earnings catalysts from consumer electronics capacity.
United Carpets shares soar on second half sales lift
Shares in United Carpets soared on Thursday as the company said full-year results would be ahead of expectations after booming second half sales.
Ladbrokes gets off to a flier in first quarter
Unlike some of its rivals, Ladbrokes got off to a flier in the first quarter, with encouraging sales growth indicating new chief executive Jim Mullen's turnaround plan is working but also helped by a tailwind of favourable sporting results.
Darty shares jump as Fnac ups offer, trumps Conforama
Shares in Darty surged on Thursday as Fnac upped its offer for the French electronics retailer to 145p per share, beating the offer from Steinhoff subsidiary Conforama.
UK retail sales fall more than expected in March
UK retail sales fell much more than expected in March, with food and clothing sales all weaker, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.
Acacia Mining ascends to three-year high after solid first quarter
Acacia Mining reported better first-quarter gold production than forecast and a 24% rise in earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation to $66m that almost hit targets thanks to an increase in revenue and lower cash costs.
Pets at Home sales accelerate in fourth quarter
A year-end trading statement from retailer Pets at Home showed like-for-like (LFL) sales growth increased in the fourth quarter, with profits for the full year expected to meet forecasts.