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Europe close: Stocks jump as pound hits year-to-date high
A buoyant mood prevailed in financial markets on Thursday, with European stocks and sterling sharply higher as the latest EU referendum polls put the Remain campaign just ahead.
London close: Stocks rise on referendum optimism but analysts cautious
Britain's main equity indices gained ground on Thursday as voting for the EU referendum began in the UK amid torrential rain and as bookmakers' odds and opinion polls suggested Brexit would be avoided - although some analysts were less sure.
RBS puts Williams & Glyn sale process on pause
Royal Bank of Scotland has shelved negotiations to sell its Williams & Glyn subsidiary, according to reports, which will make it difficult to complete the sale by the end of 2017 as required by the European Commission.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners gain; United Utilities, Compass drop as they go ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 9% to 6,315. 42 in late afternoon trading, off its highs but still in the black amid hopes UK voters would opt to remain in the European Union.
Director dealings: Derwent London CEO sells just ahead of Brexit vote
Derwent London chief executive John Burns has sold £1. 5m of the FTSE 250 real estate investor's shares in the week just before the EU referendum which could seriously lift or undermine the company's shares.
Barclays tells clients it will not take new FX stop-loss orders
Barclays reportedly stopped accepting new so-called ‘stop-loss’ orders from its clients dealing in foreign exchange markets.
Volkswagen may have to pay diesel owners USD7,000
Volkswagen may have to pay diesel owners up to $7,000 each under the $10bn settlement currently being negotiated in the US, reports suggested on Thursday afternoon.
Broker tips: BAE Systems, IAG, Debenhams
Analysts at Berenberg pared their earnings estimates for BAE Systems, while highlighting the risk that the debate surrounding the UK’s maritime defence budget might drive negative sentiment in the backhalf of 2016, which led them to downgrade their recommendation.
US open: Stocks in the black as UK votes on Brexit
Stocks on Wall Street advanced on Thursday as market participants bet the UK would vote to remain in the European Union in Thursday’s referendum.
UBS eyes possible break in the clouds for IAG, RyanAir after referendum
A break in the clouds of political uncertainty might allow European airline carriers shares to recover some of the year-to-date drop, UBS said.
Berenberg downgrades BAE Systems, sees scant impact in case of Brexit
Analysts at Berenberg pared their earnings estimates for BAE Systems, while highlighting the risk that the debate surrounding the UK’s maritime defence budget might drive negative sentiment in the backhalf of 2016, which led them to downgrade their recommendation.
Paddy Power gives Remain 93% likelihood of victory
Bookmaker Paddy Power slashed its odds on a Remain victory in the United Kingdom's referendum on European Union membership, with the result to be revealed early on Friday morning.
US new home sales fall more than expected in May
Sales of new US single-family homes declined more than expected in May, official data released on Thursday showed.
Markit's flash US manufacturing PMI bounces back
Markit’s flash manufacturing purchasing managers’ index printed at a three-month high of 51. 4 in June, up from 50. 7 in May and ahead of economists’ expectations for a reading of 50. 8.
FTSE 250 movers: DS Smith rallies on results; Elementis drops again
London’s FTSE 250 index was up 1. 4% to 17,289. 55 in afternoon trade, tracking a broader rally in equity markets amid expectations that voters in the UK will opt to remain in the European Union on Thursday.
Result of referendum far from a foregone conclusion due to high number of undecideds, HSBC says
The result of the referendum on the country’s membership of the European Union was far from a foregone conclusion and even a vote to ‘Remain’ would not lift all of the uncertainties hanging over the future of the EU, one of the UK’s top-rated equity research team said.
Amphion increases NAV through Motif Bio investment
Medical and technology business developer Amphion Innovations announced its audited results for the 2015 calendar year on Thursday, in which it increased its net asset value per ordinary share in the company by 0. 7p to 3. 8p.
Prime People's profits jump but recruitment sector likely to soften
Recruiter Prime People impressed with much improved profits last year thanks to a good performance in the UK property recruitment sector and from the Hong Kong office, although it cautioned that market conditions are likely be softer in the remainder of 2016.
US initial jobless claims drop more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.
New downside risks from Brexit as trader's 'squeaky bums' ease off
As the UK wades through the torrential rain to vote in the EU referendum and polls show a lead for the Remain campaign, analysts warned that overconfidence in the City brings news risks.