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UK house price growth slows in April, Nationwide reveals
UK house price growth slowed in April following a rush of purchases ahead of higher taxes on second homes and buy-to-let properties, data showed on Thursday.
Large-cap miners pace gains
Shares in large-cap mining groups paced gains on the top flight index after one of their number closed the sale of two of its Brazilian businesses, a possible indication that the rally in commodity prices had opened at least a window of opportunity to divest some of their assets. London-based Anglo American on Thursday announced that China Molybdenum had put up a greater-than-expected $1,500m (£1,027m) for its niobium and phosphates units in South America´s largest economy, two of its most profitable non-core assets.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Barclays, Henderson Group
The only positive in Barclays´s latest set of results was the absence of any new misconduct allegations, which means its shares may get cheaper still, The Times´s Tempus argued.
Europe close: Stocks bounce back as BoJ and Fed stay put
European stocks bounced back from their large losses early in the session despite some investors´ disappointment with the lack of any further action from the Bank of Japan to add to its stimulus.
London close: FTSE ends flat as US economic growth slows
The FTSE 100 ended broadly flat on Thursday as US economic growth slowed in the first quarter and as investors continued to weigh central bank policy decisions in the US and Japan.
Small caps news round-up
Strategic natural resources investor Metal Tiger announced its participation in the acquisition of 12,013,173 shares in Goldstone Resources, in conjunction with Red Rock Resources, at a price of 1. 87p per share. The AIM-traded firm said the acquired shares total 19. 29% of the issued share capital of Goldstone Resources, and upon completion Red Rock and Metal Tiger will own 9. 645% each.
Arian Silver raises £700K through share placement
Arian Silver Corp. ’s shares fell on Thursday after the company announced a £700,000 fundraiser to boost its balance sheet and fund projects.
Directors dealings: Saga boss shows conviction, picks up large batch of shares
A family investment company linked to Saga boss Andrew Goodsell bought a large batch of shares on Tuesday, the company said in a statement.
FX round-up: Yen leaps higher after BoJ stays put on policy
Rate-setters in Tokyo opted to stay put on monetary policy at their meeting on Thursday, sending the country´s currency sharply higher.
Rio Tinto to buy back $1.36bn in debt
Rio Tinto said on Thursday that it has priced an offer to buy back $1. 36bn in debt, as it looks to cut debt amid the downturn in commodity prices.
Tullow cuts full-year capex; sees further savings
Africa-focused oil miner Tullow said first quarter production was slightly below expectations due to technical issues at the Jubilee field off Ghana, but said 2016 capital expenditure would be cut by $100m to $1bn “with further savings expected”.
Results round-up
First-quarter results from Lloyds Banking Group revealed a 6% fall in underlying profit to £2. 05bn due to the sale of TSB, but this was largely better than forecast as a reduction in impairment charges, PPI provisions and lower costs counterbalanced a small decline in income.
US open: Stocks mixed after FOMC rate decision, US GDP
US stocks were mixed on Thursday after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and as official data showed economic growth slowed surprisingly in the first quarter.
FTSE 250 movers: Tullow and Weir limit losses
The FTSE 250 pared earlier losses by Thursday afternoon, as a strong showing from Tullow Oil, Weir and other resources-related groups overcame the effect of ex-dividend day.
Shire shareholders approve remuneration report, but only just
Shire shareholders voted to approve the pay of the drug maker’s top directors on Thursday, but only just.
Friday preview: RBS to report first quarter loss, analysts estimate
The Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to report a wider first quarter loss on Friday, reflecting a £1. 25bn payment to the Treasury.
Indivior hit by Phase I trial failure and manufacturing issue
Indivior has abandoned further development of a pill to treat heroin addiction and said the potential approval of a monthly treatment for schizophrenia was likely to be delayed after a external manufacturing issue.
RBS likely to miss 2017 deadline for Williams & Glyn sale
Royal Bank of Scotland has warned that it is likely to miss the 2017 deadline to spin off its Williams & Glyn subsidiary, laying the bank open to a "significantly greater" financial impact than hoped, including further delaying the resumption of dividends.
FTSE 100 movers: ITV slumps as it goes ex-div; Anglo jumps on sale
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 9% to 6,260. 79 in afternoon trading as investors were left disappointed with the Bank of Japan’s decision not to implement any further stimulus measures.
US initial jobless claims rise less than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose less than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.