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Diageo sales beat expectations as US spirits rebound
Half-year sales surged at Diageo, the owner of Guinness, Smirnoff and Pimm’s, as it benefitted from favourable foreign exchange rates and was also bolstered by an improved performance in the US spirits market.
US close: Markets mixed as investors sift through earnings
US stocks finished mixed on Thursday, slowing from Wednesday’s gains as investors raked through another batch of earnings and data releases, while the dollar rose.
Mexican President Peña Nieto cancels Trump meeting
US President Donald Trump's meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto will not be going ahead after the latter cancelled his trip to Washington following a war of words about the construction of a wall on America's southern border.
Imperial Brands stubs out pay rise for CEO
Shareholders of cigarette giant Imperial Brands seem to have stopped a pay rise for the company’s chief executive Alison Cooper, sending a message to other FTSE 100 companies looking to raise their bosses bonuses.
Small cap round up
Zoo Digital, a provider of subtitling and digital distribution services, expects to see a “significant improvement" for the 2017 financial year, as the company’s performance in the first half has continued into the second. The AIM-listed company said that the historical weighting towards the first half, due to its reliance on a small number of customers and the seasonality of the home entertainment market, had seen a shift with good momentum continuing into the second half, meaning it was showing less seasonal variation in revenue and earnings than in previous years.
One in 10 jobcentres to close, putting thousands of jobs at risk
The government is planning to close more than one in 10 jobcentres around the UK as more people claim benefits online.
London close: Stocks end slightly lower as investors weigh UK GDP, interims
The FTSE 100 ended slightly lower on Thursday as investors weighed UK economic data and sifted through a batch of corporate interim statements.
Europe close: Stocks end on mixed note
European stocks edged higher as investors were seemingly optimistic about US President Donald Trump’s stimulus policies and his upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
FTSE 100 movers: Insurers gain while Unilever dives
The FTSE 100 index was up 0. 11% to 7,172. 34 in the late afternoon, led by Diageo and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Charter shares jump after reports of Verizon acquisition
Shares in US communications firm Charter Communications spiked on Thursday after reports that it was subject to a takeover bid from Verizon.
Highlands discovers 'potentially very significant' helium traces
Highlands Natural Resources reported the "potentially very significant" discovery of helium by two independent laboratories that carried out analysis of gases from its Helios Two natural gas and helium project in Montana, USA.
Mondi's €470m Czech mill expansion will also lower costs
Paper and packaging group Mondi has signed off on a €470m investment in modernisation and expansion of its Steti mill in Czechia, which will increase capital expenditure in the three years to 2019.
Haynes earnings surge in half-year results
Practical information creator and supplier Haynes Publishing Group announced its results for the six months to 30 November on Thursday, with group revenue rising 15% year-on-year to £14m.
Trump launches outburst against 'ungrateful' traitor Chelsea Manning
US President Donald Trump has hit out at the decision to release Wikileaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning, describing the former soldier as an "ungrateful traitor".
Broker tips: Essentra, Babcock, IMI
Jefferies downgraded its rating on Essentra to 'hold' as the cigarette filters and plastic packaging manufacturer's "self inflicted wounds" need time to repair.
US open: Stocks waver as investors rake through earnings, data
US stocks wavered on Thursday, slowing from yesterday’s gains as investors raked through another batch of earnings and data releases, while the dollar rose.
Results round-up
Unilever reported that revenue grew but missed expectations as the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant was affected by economic woes in Brazil and demonetisation in India, two of its largest markets, and expects the difficult market conditions to continue in 2017.
US new home sales fall more than expected in December
Sales of new US single-family homes fell more than expected in December, according to official data released on Thursday.
ITE Group revenue rises slightly as it faces tough trading
ITE Group published a trading update for the period from 1 October to date on Thursday, including its first quarter trading period from 1 October to 31 December.
Barclays planning Dublin headquarters move post-Brexit, report says
Barclays has begun planning to make Dublin its European headquarters, once Britain leaves the European Union, according to a Reuters report on Thursday afternoon.