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British online retailers continue to enjoy 'strong' demand, says BRC
The UK online retail sector maintains a “strong brand appeal” abroad according to the British Retail Consortium.
US close: Stocks step sideways as dollar remains limp post-Fed
US markets drifted sideways on Thursday, as the dollar remained limp while investors pondered a rattled Federal Reserve’s policy statement and combed through more earnings.
Vodafone upbeat despite fall in revenue
Mobile telecoms giant Vodafone posted a trading update for the quarter to 31 December on Thursday, reporting solid growth but disappointing investors with full-year guidance.
Bank of England jacks up 2017 GDP forecast to 2%
Alongside its decision to leave monetary policy unchanged for another month, the Bank of England made a huge upgrade to its forecast for UK economic growth this year and continues to see above-target inflation for the coming three years.
Commodities: Copper could hit $3.0 per pound mark, Barclays says
Energy and metals futures declined on Thursday, acting as a drag on the entire complex.
FX round-up: Cable slips, Russian ruble jumps
Sterling retreated sharply despite the Bank of England's decision to lift its short-term forecasts for economic growth, as it unexpectedly also trimmed its medium-term projections for consumer prices.
Small cap round up
Betsson AB and NetPlay TV announced on Thursday that their boards have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer, under which Betsson will acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of NetPlay. The firms said under the terms of the offer, each NetPlay shareholder will receive 9p in cash for each ordinary share held, which values the entire issued and to be issued share capital of NetPlay at £26. 4m on a fully diluted basis.
Europe close: Periphery stocks outperform amid political risk
European stocks ended the day on a mixed note as investors took in the Federal Reserve's policy announcement and a raft of corporate earnings ahead of the monthly US jobs report which was set for release on the next day.
London close: Stocks rise as Bank of England raises GDP forecasts
London stocks rose on Thursday after the Bank of England raised its economic growth forecasts and left interest rates unchanged.
Sector movers: Household and personal goods names move higher
As expected, in its latest Inflation Report the Monetary Policy Committee did bump its growth forecasts, but in an unexpected twist it also trimmed its medium-term forecast for inflation, sending yields on the benchmark 10-year Gilt spiralling lower by seven basis points to 1. 38%.
BoE votes unanimously to keep interest rates unchanged
The Bank of England on Thursday decided to keep its policy measures unchanged as it raised its economic forecasts in the latest Quarterly Inflation Report.
Ironveld converts consultant fees to shares
Ironveld, the owner of a high purity iron, vanadium and titanium project on the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex in Limpopo Province, South Africa, announced on Thursday that arrangements have been made with a consultant to convert fees payable for services into new ordinary shares of 1p in the company.
Deutsche Boerse chief investigated for insider trading
Carsten Kengeter chief executive of the Frankfurt stock exchange Deutsche Boerse is being investigated by German prosecutors for insider trading ahead of merger talks with the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Google, Facebook and others to send Trump open letter opposing immigrant ban
Some of the largest companies in the US have drafted a letter to be sent to President Donald Trump outlining their disagreement with his executive order to temporarily suspend the entrance of immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
Armadale upbeat on Mahenge Liandu test results
Africa-focused natural resource project investment company Armadale announce the receipt of the first phase of metallurgical test-work results from a bulk sample from a test pit on the Mahenge Liandu graphite project in Tanzania on Thursday.
BoE decision, Inflation Report - Analysts react
"The minutes show that most MPC members remain willing to “seek to return inflation to the target over a somewhat longer period than usual” so that monetary policy can support the economy. Admittedly, the Committee no longer expects the economy to slow much this year; it raised its forecast for GDP growth in 2017 to 2%, from 1. 4% in November. But its forecast for GDP growth to slow to 1. 6% in 2018 shows that it is still more concerned about the medium-term outlook than before the referendum.
Beowulf Mining preparing response to mining concession rejection
Sweden-focused mineral exploration and development company Beowulf said on Thursday that it received a letter from the Mining Inspectorate of Sweden, asking the company if it has any comments on the announcement made on Wednesday by the county administrative board for the County of Norrbotten, regarding its application for an exploitation concession for Kallak North.
Torchmark Group sees net income improve
Torchmark Corporation reported on Thursday that for the quarter ended 31 December, net income was $1. 12 per diluted common share, compared with $1. 07 per diluted common share for the same quarter in the previous year.
US open: Stocks lower as investors digest the Fed standing pat on rates
US equity markets were lower on Thursday, as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s policy statement and combed through more earnings.
SVG Capital reports rise in net assets per share
In its preliminary results for the 45 weeks to 9 December, SVG Capital reported 10% growth in net assets per share to 719p, underpinned by a continued strong performance from the investment portfolio and the sale of the investment to HarbourVest.