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London midday: Stocks higher amid conflicting headlines out of G7
Britain's top flight index was still in positive territory come midday, despite the conflicting headlines on Japan's intentions regarding a possible postponement of tax hikes and the likelihood of intervention in foreign exchange markets against the US dollar.
PPI still the most complained about product, says Ombudsman
The latest report from the Financial Ombudsman has revealed that payment protection insurance remains the most complained about financial product, while complaints about packaged accounts and payday loans have surged.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners advance, but M&S still under the cosh
London’s FTSE 100 was flat at 6,261. 41 in afternoon trading.
Broker tips: Barclays, Melrose, Electrocomponents
Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Barclays to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target 19% to 220p, having already upped the stock two weeks ago, saying things were looking brighter and the fog is lifting.
Powerflute sees more challenging trading in H2
Powerflute OYJ continues to perform well in the first four months of 2016, with trading results broadly in line on the year, but expects the second half to be more challenging.
US durable goods orders rise 3.4% in April, buoyed by aircraft sales
New orders for US-made durable goods rose 3. 4% month-on-month in April, the Department of Commerce said, following on from a 1. 9% gain in March. Core durables, which exclude transportation, rose 0. 4%, against a 0. 1% gain in March.
Urban&Civic lifts first-half profit and net-asset value
Urban&Civic has improved its first-half pretax profit and bumped up its net asset value per share and dividend as it points to strong continuing momentum in the business.
Shares Prospex Oil & Gas fall after placing, Boleslaw update
Shares in Prospex Oil and Gas were down more than 27% as it raised about £1. 64m in a placing at 1p a share, and at the same time updated on the unrisked prospective resources at the Boleslaw prospect.
Advanced Oncotherapy in £24 million investment agreement
Advanced Oncotherapy has signed a £24m investment agreement with a fund advised by Metric Capital Partners LLP, pushing its shares up more than 7%.
Marshall Motors sees significant value in Ridgeway acquisition
Marshall Motor Holdings' shares are up more than 20% after it acquired Ridgeway Garages (Newbury) Ltd for £106. 9m cash.
Asia close: PBoC to maintain slightly loose policy
Most stockmarkets in the Asia-Pacific region saw the day out with small gains, as traders waited on the result of Thursday´s meeting of G7 central bankers and finance ministers together with speeches from two US rate-setters scheduled during New York trading hours and on Friday.
US jobless claims fall more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.
Northbridge's short-term trading visibility challenging
Northbridge Industrial Services warns its short-term trading visibility remains challenging, noting oil and gas industry sentiment and weak activity levels.
Atlas Mara wary of forex, economic headwinds
Atlas Mara sees its full-year profit to exceed the underlying $11. 3 million booked in 2015, but warns softer African currencies and a more challenging economic backdrop provide "meaningful" headwinds to achieving this.
Sable Mining Africa probes bribery and corruption reports
Sable Mining Africa, the company founded by ex-England spin bowler Phillipe-Henri Edmonds, has confirmed it is investigating allegations of bribery and corruption made against the company in Liberia.
Debenhams poaches Amazon's European fashion chief
Debenhams has poached Amazon's European fashion boss, Sergio Bucher, to be the department store group's new chief executive from October.
UK FCA pension proposes 1% cap on pension exit charge
Pension providers may have to cap exit fees for people who want to take money from their savings at 1% under plans revealed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Europe midday: Stocks fluctuate after recent gains; Brent crude breaches $50 a barrel
European equities wavered on Thursday following two days of gains amid weakness in the banking sector, although stronger oil prices lent some support as Brent crude breached the $50 a barrel mark for the first time since November.
Exane upgrades Barclays, says the fog is lifting
Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Barclays to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target 19% to 220p, having already upped the stock two weeks ago, saying things were looking brighter and the fog is lifting.
Oil´s rise above $50 will be positive for the global economy, think-tank says
The rise in oil prices past the $50 per barrel mark was positive for the global economy all things considered, but it also made it increasingly hard to argue that deflation posed a serious threat to the US, Capital Economics said.