Latest News
One Savings Bank profits as buy-to-let lending continues to thrive
One Savings Bank hiked its dividend 21% as it achieved a strong income statement and balance sheet growth while delivering a return on equity of 29%.
Thursday broker round-up
Hikma Pharmaceutical: JPMorgan downgrades to Neutral with a target price of 2400p.
Students on the verge of 'rental crisis' due to B2L mortgage changes
Sweeping changes to tax regulation on buy-to-let mortgages will see a huge fall could see a huge fall in mortgage applications and a significant rise in the cost of student accommodation, according to the managing director of StudentTenant. com.
London midday: Stocks hold on to solid gains as BoE stands pat
Equity markets in London held on to solid gains at midday after the Bank of England stood pat on monetary policy, as expected.
Europe midday: Stocks reach record levels on the back of Dutch election
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.
LXB Retail Properties sells Scottish land for £3.35m
AIM-listed investor LXB Retail Properties has completed the sale of most of its remaining land interests in Ayr, Scotland for £3. 35m.
Amerisur Resources to buy Colombia oil assets for $4.85m
Shares in Amerisur Resources surged on Thursday as the Oil and gas producer announced it will buy assets in Colombia for $4. 85m in order to position the company for “significant growth” the Caguan-Putumayo basin.
Explosion at IMF Paris offices leaves one injured
One person has been injured in an explosion at the offices of the International Monetary Fund in Paris after opening an envelope.
Asia report: Markets move higher after raft of monetary policy decisions
Markets in Asia wavered on Thursday, with most finishing above the waterline, as investors sifted through monetary policy decisions out of Japan, China and the US.
Lego Batman cannot save Merlin Entertainments as patience 'wearing thin'
Shares in Merlin Entertainments are only worth 375p and should be sold, said Berenberg on Thursday, downgrading its rating on the Legoland and Madame Tussauds owner.
Abta website targeted in cyber attack
The Association of British Travel Agents said on Thursday that a cyber attack on its website may have affected around 43,000 individuals and 650 of its members.
UK Tories fined £70k for election spending breaches
The Conservative Party has been fined a record £70,000 and its former treasurer referred to the Metropolitan Police for breaching election campaign spending rules, the Electoral Commission said on Thursday.
Avation in talks with single buyer over ATR 72 sale
Aircraft investment firm Avation confirmed on Thursday that it was in discussion with a single prospective buyer over the sale of a number of its regional turboprop assets.
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher as investors continue to cheer Fed
Stocks on Wall Street looked set for a positive open on Thursday as investors continued to take heart from the Federal Reserve’s more dovish than expected stance on rate hikes.
Europe open: Basic resources, banks power early gains
Basic resource issues paced early gains in Europe after a dovish policy statement from the US central bank overnight drove the greenback lower, stoking commodity prices.
EMIS Group strong despite NHS 'sluggishness'
Connected healthcare software and services EMIS Group announced its final results for the year to 31 December on Thursday, with total revenue rising 2% to £158. 7m and recurring revenue 4% stronger at £128. 5m.
Eurozone inflation rises to 2% in February, as expected
Eurozone inflation rose to 2. 0% on the year in February from 1. 8% the month before, in line with both consensus and the initial estimate, according to figures released by Eurostat.
Balfour Beatty returns to the black
Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty returned to the black on Thursday, posting statutory full year pre-tax profits of £8m from a loss of £199m.
JP Morgan downgrades Hikma Pharmaceuticals on generic pricing pressures
JP Morgan Cazenove downgraded Hikma Pharmaceuticals to ‘neutral’ as it expects the company's new asthma drug to have a short term impact.
Premier Oil gushes higher on Peel Hunt initiation
Premier Oil gushed higher for the second day in a row on Thursday as Peel Hunt initiated coverage of the stock with a ‘buy’ rating.