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Results round-up
Insurance giant Aviva posted its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Thursday, with operating profit rising 13% to £1. 325bn and operating earnings per share improving 1% to 22. 4p.
London midday: Stocks snap higher as BoE cuts interest rates, boosts QE
London stocks jumped on Thursday as the Bank of England cut interest rates and increased the size of its asset purchase programme.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals warns generic drug delays will lower profit
Shares in Hikma Pharmaceuticals plummeted on Thursday after the drugmaker's overnight warning that delays to new US generic products would lower profits.
UK auto market 'cooling' as consumer confidence declines
Britain’s automobile market cooled as car registrations were flat and demand from private consumers fell in July, suggesting a decline in consumer confidence, according to a leading business lobby group.
FTSE 100 movers: Aviva flies while Hikma sinks lower
The FTSE 100 was trading higher on Thursday afternoon, as investors digested the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates for the first time since 20098 and bolster quantitative easing.
Factory orders fall slightly less than expected, durable goods revised touch higher
Factory orders fell slightly less than expected in June as durable goods orders were revised slightly higher by the Commerce Department on Thursday.
IAG traffic ascends to 15.7pc in July
Passenger traffic growth at British Airways and and Iberia owner International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) soared higher in July.
MPC decision and August Inflation Report: Analysts´ reactions
"The stock of the APF programme was increased by £70bn from its present £375bn, with an unexpected move into corporate bonds. The expectation regarding QE was split but generally short of our call of a £100-150bn increase in asset purchases, although we had expected the Committee to focus purely on gilts. [. ] The Bank of England released its new macro forecasts in the accompanied Inflation Report. [. ] Overall, this results in a growth forecast above consensus but an inflation profile broadly in-line with consensus.
FTSE 250 movers: Serco surges while Cobham crumbles
The FTSE 250 was higher in afternoon trading on Thursday, as the Bank of England cut interest rates and increased the size of its asset purchase programme.
Rotala buys Wigan Coachways
Transport company Rotala has acquired Wigan Coachways for a cash consideration of £213,000.
Ford to recall 830,000 vehicles due to door latch issue
US automaker Ford is set to take a hit of $270m as it has recalled 830,000 vehicles due to a design fault.
US weekly unemployment claims edge gigher
Unemployment claims in the US edged higher during the latest reference week.
Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls in the spotlight
The US non-farm payrolls report will be closely eyed on Friday as the Federal Reserve considers the timing of its next interest rate hike.
Lok'nStore signs management contract for Hertfordshire, Kent stores
Self-storage company Lok’n Store signed management contracts to develop and operate two new stores in Hertfordshire and Kent to continue its expansion strategy.
Vitec´s interim revenues get a kick from weak sterling
Broadcast and photographic service provider Vitec’s revenue grew in the first half of the year, in line with expectations, as it benefitted from weak sterling.
Bank of England slashes 2017 growth forecast, expects stimulus to avert recession
The Bank of England slashed its growth forecasts for 2017 in its quarterly Inflation Report on Thursday, but expects to steer the UK economy away from recession with a cut in interest rates and a package of stimulus measures to reignite growth.
Scotgold Resources places 62.5m shares on AIM, ASX to raise £500,000
Scotgold Resources announced a sharply discounted share placing and delays in the proceeds from gold sales, sending the stock sharply lower.
Apple App Store reveals highest monthly developer payout
Tim Cook has revealed that Apple gave out a record-breaking amount in billings to its App Store developers in July.
Revenue improves at Portmeirion Group, but profits slide
Portmeirion Group announced its performance for the six months to 30 June on Thursday, with revenue of £28. 5m up by 2% on the £27. 9m a year ago.
Merck raises boosts full-year sales target
German pharmaceutical group Merck raised its yearly forecast on Thursday following a strong performance from its healthcare unit in the second quarter.