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US open: Stocks fail to extend Fed rate hike rally
US equity markets were unable to extend their rally on Thursday after they were propelled higher in the previous session when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates as expected for the second time in four months and struck a more dovish tone than anticipated on future rate policy.
Dutch election result does not extinguish European nationalist threat
Voters in Netherlands have put a new spring in the step of the euro, election pollsters and those alarmed by the rise of European nationalism, but the result does precisely nothing to vanquish the potential for nationalist victories in the upcoming elections in France and Italy.
Trump fiscal year 2018 budget shifts spending towards defence
US president Donald's Trump inaugural budget revealed a sharp shift towards in the country's priorities towards defence and domestic security.
FX round-up: Sterling bolts higher as traders lap up BoE's hawkish leanings
Sterling bolted higher Thursday with traders lapping up hawkish leanings expressed by Bank of England's policymakers as they stood pat on rates, in line with predictions.
Directors dealings: Spirent Communications chief buys in
Spirent Communications chief Eric Hutchinson picked up a batch of shares in his company as the shares approached technical resistance towards 113. 0p, which marked their best level since February 2014.
Europe close: Record finish for stocks as Fed hikes rates
European stocks hit record levels on Thursday as investors digested the expected rate hike by the US Federal Reserve and the halt to Dutch populism in the Netherland’s election.
London close: Miners rocket higher on Fed rate hike as BoE stands pat
Shares in London ended Thursday higher thanks to miners rocketing ahead, with the FTSE 100 at another record close, after Bank of England stayed on rates and the US Federal Reserve upped its, both as expected.
Friday preview: G20 finance ministers' meeting, Investec in focus
Investors will head into the weekend with the G-20 meeting of finance ministers in Germany in focus.
Gunsynd disposes of a number of Zenith Energy shares
Gunsynd announced on Thursday that it disposed of 890,909 shares in Zenith Energy at an average of 13. 02p.
Volkswagen law firm and Audi headquarters raided by German prosecutors
German prosecutors have searched the offices of US law firm Jones Day, the company hired by Volkswagen to conduct an investigation into its emissions-cheating scandal.
Aberdeen Frontier Markets repurchases nearly half of its circulating shares
Aberdeen Frontier Markets updated the market on its tender offer on Thursday, having received valid tender acceptances of 97,307,392 ordinary shares on 14 March.
PGC Entertainment raises £0.35m, fires CEO
Asia-Pacific online gaming and media company PCG Entertainment raised £0. 35m before expenses on Thursday, through a placing via its broker Beaufort Securities of 250,000,000 new ordinary shares of 0. 1 pence each, and a price of 0. 14 pence per ordinary share.
'Now is not the time' for second Scottish independence referendum, says Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May has rejected First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon’s calls for a second independence referendum, but did not rule out one after Britain leaves the European Union.
Hayward Tyler Group wins $2m US nuclear related order
AIM-listed engineer Hayward Tyler Group has won a $2m a nuclear related order through its US business.
Touchstone Innovations ploughs £14m into Cell Medica
Touchstone Innovations announced on Thursday that it participated in a £60. 0m funding round in Cell Medica, committing £13. 7m to the round alongside co-investors Invesco Asset Management and Woodford Investment Management.
Commodities: Gold, precious metals get Fed-inspired boost as crude consolidates
Precious-metals futures enjoyed a hearty uptick on Thursday in the aftermath of the US Federal Reserve lifting interest rates, while Bank of England stood pat as anticipated.
M&C Saatchi claims record results in 2016
Global advertising agency M&C Saatchi posted its final results for the 2016 calendar year on Thursday, claiming record results in revenue and earnings with revenue rising 26% to £225. 3m, and revenue in constant currencies improving 19% to £213. 1m.
Small cap news round-up
Specialty lithium exploration and development company with assets in the Czech Republic, European Metals Holdings, released its interim unaudited financial report for the half year ended 31 December on Thursday, with its loss before tax widening to $3. 16m from $1. 31m.
Clinigen, Diurnal to launch European managed access programme for adrenal drugs
AIM-listed Pharmaceuticals Clinigen and Diurnal are to launch a managed access programme in Europe for their drugs Infacort, which treats children with adrenal insufficiency, and Chronocort, which treat patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
FTSE 250 movers: Kaz surges on JPM upgrade; Balfour Beatty drops on results
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 2% to 18,993. 62 in afternoon trade as investors digested the Bank of England’s decision to leave interest rates at a record low.