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FX roundup: Sterling, dollar barely moved
Sterling and the US dollar were barely moved on most major crosses as traders in the US took pause for Thanksgiving festivities, although the greenback's turns on Japan's yen and Turkey's lira were mild exceptions to the rule.
London close: UK stocks subdued on US Thanksgiving as resources in focus
UK stocks were in cautious form all day Thursday, with global markets generally subdued as traders in the US put their feet up for a Thanksgiving break.
Wages to remain stagnant for a decade, says IFS
Workers are facing the “dreadful” prospect of not experiencing any wage growth for more than a decade according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Personal Group's salary sacrifice scheme not in jeopardy despite Autumn Statement
Personal Group, a provider of employee benefits and financial services, said that despite Chancellor Philip Hammond’s clamp down on salary sacrifice schemes in the Autumn statement, its ‘Lets Connect’ scheme will not suffer.
Europe close: Stocks edge higher on thin trading volumes
European stocks edged higher amid lower than usual volumes as traders stateside took a break for Thanksgiving.
Small cap round up
AIM-listed Belvoir Lettings said it could not predict the impact from not charging fees to tenants, as outlined in the Autumn Statement. On Wednesday, Chancellor Philip Hammond said there would be a ban on letting fees “as soon as possible”, in a bid to help the ‘just about managing’, which would save 4. 3m households hundreds of pounds a year.
Friday preview: Week set to end on a quiet note
A second reading on third quarter gross domestic product and the Confederation of British Industry´s Distributive Trades Survey would be the focus in UK markets on Friday.
Director dealings: AB Foods chairman tucks in
With shares in Associated British Foods chairman trading only a little higher than their three-year lows, chairman Charles Sinclair dipped into the market to buy some shares in the Primark owner on Thursday.
Brexit can be stopped if British people change their minds - Blair
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair has said that the country's vote to leave the European Union can be overturned if enough people change their minds about Brexit.
Commodities: Crude futures mildly ahead in subdued Thanksgiving trade
Crude-oil futures were appreciating mildly on Thursday afternoon with the Thanksgiving holiday in the US resulting in overall subdued activity across the commodities boards.
Infrastructure spending good for housebuilders, contractors, bad for letting agents
Funding outlined in the Autumn Statement could be good for alternative housing providers, contractors, but potentially problematic for mainstream housebuilders, and bad for letting agents, according to broker Stockdale.
US Green party plans to request recount in three states
The US Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is ramping up to request recounts of the election results in three key states after raising $2m through an online fundraising page.
Scisys buys Germany´s Annova Sytems for £9.7m
Software company Scisys bought Munich-based Annova Systems, a software provider for €11. 35m (£9. 7m) which puts it in “a stronger market position” across Europe.
European Parliament head Schulz steps down and may challenge Merkel next year
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz will step down at the beginning of next year and run in the German elections, with many suggesting that he will attempt to deny Angela Merkel a fourth successive term as chancellor.
Potential for abrupt reversal in risk remains significant, ECB says
Euro area systemic stress has remained relatively low over the past six months, despite bouts of market turbulence, the European Central Bank said.
Broker tips: Thomas Cook, Direct Line, Paragon
Barclays upgraded Thomas Cook to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and upped the price target to 90p from 75p following the company’s full-year results on Wednesday.
Domestic demand slows UK car production
Car manufacturing output declined in October according to figures published by the industry on Thursday, with domestic demand falling and exports strengthening again.
FTSE 250 movers: Domino's serves up tasty update; Countrywide tanks again
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 4% to 17,546. 37 in afternoon trade.
Countrywide tumbles to new low on Brexit profit warning
Estate agent Countrywide warned that operating profits will be lower than expected for the full year, due to a “tough” residential market as a result of a change in stamp duty and the EU referendum.
Results round-up
Water company Severn Trent said interim profits before interest and tax rose 10. 8% to £299. 4m.