Latest News
US open: Stocks higher after better-than-expected jobless claims
US stocks were trading higher on Thursday after better-than-expected employment data, while investors were also digesting news that the Federal Reserve will start unwinding its $4. 5trn balance sheet this year.
Bonds: Investors take positions ahead of US jobs report, BoE's Carney
These were the movements on some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 35% (+2bp)UK: 1. 10% (+1bp)France: 0. 26% (+1bp)Germany: 0. 90% (-2bp)Italy: 2. 27% (-0bp)Spain: 1. 63% (+1bp)Greece: 7. 13% (+2bp)Portugal: 3. 90% (-5bp)Japan: 0. 06% (0bp).
ECB minutes: Early depo rate hike still on the cards, Barclays says
The minutes of the European Central Bank's last policy meeting showed that a change in rates is not imminent, but some economists still believe the deposit rate will head higher sooner than most expect.
FX round-up: Sterling clings to narrow channels as Czech koruna surprises
Sterling clung to relatively narrow trading channels as traders look for details out of a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the presidents of the US and China, as the Czech koruna emerged as a surprise forex figure on Thursday.
Europe close: Stocks bounce amid dovish ECB
European stocks bounced back on Thursday as investors exercised caution ahead of the Trump-Xi summit in the US and mulled 'dovish' comments from European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.
US close: Fed surprise sends stocks into the red
Wall Street skidded lower as the US central bank surprised some market participants by flagging an earlier-than-expected start to the process of shrinking its balance sheet to more normal levels, probably later in 2017.
Qatar 2022 World Cup budget to be slashed by at least 40%
The budget for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is set to be reduced by at least 40%, and possibly as high as 50%, according to the official in charge of the tournament.
London close: FTSE meanders to mixed close with Trump-Xi summit in focus
Stocks in London meandered to a mixed end of session on Thursday with markets keeping a cautious eye on the Florida summit between the presidents of the US and China.
YOLO makes further investment in Audioboom
YOLO Leisure and Technology announced on Thursday that it participated in the recent placing by Audioboom Group, one of its five investee companies.
Serica Energy feeling 'in a strong position' to add value
Small oil producer-explorer Serica Energy said it had enjoyed a strong fourth quarter and with its strong financial position it felt well placed to add further value for shareholders in the year ahead.
Commodities: Gold on the front foot with markets seeking safety as Trump-Xi meet
Gold was on the front foot on Thursday afternoon as traders and investors liked the yellow metal's safe-haven appeal as the presidents of the US and China met in America.
Sector movers: REITs pace gains, Unilever boosts Personal Goods
The ebb and flow of broker recommendations and news was the main driver of share prices on Thursday, as investors waited with baited breath for the first headlines from the meetings between China and the America's leaders, as well as the all-important US jobs report due out the next day.
Gender pay gap data to be published by British companies
British companies will have to publish various figures on their gender pay gap within a year after a new law came into force on Thursday.
TfL challenges app developers to use new cycling data
Transport for London issued a challenge to app designers on Thursday, to improve their services to cyclists after expanding the data it makes available to them.
EU parliament approves end to roaming charges
Travelling to the continent with your mobile phone was officially set to become cheaper on Thursday - for just under two years, at least - as the European Parliament voted to approve an agreement to end high roaming charges.
Banking licence restrictions lifted on Monzo
One of the City’s more prominent retail fintech startups, Monzo, officially became a bank this week, with the lifting of its banking licence restrictions by the authorities.
Steve Cohen firm invests in Bloomberg Terminal rival
The ubiquitous and breathtakingly expensive Bloomberg Terminal could be shoved off its pedestal, if billionaire hedge fund king Steve Cohen has his way.
Small cap news round-up
Retailer Mothercare reported a drop in fourth-quarter and full-year sales on Thursday, mostly due to a weaker performance in the international business.
Friday preview: Carney speaks but non-farm payrolls should set tone
With investors still chewing over various titbits from the Federal Reserve and Donald Trump's twitter account, the US non-farm payroll report will still maintain its status as the dish of the day on Friday, following UK industrial production as an hors d'oeuvre.
FTSE 250 movers: Homeserve assists; Electra slumps after going ex-divi
Homeserve helped to keep the FTSE 250 in positive territory after the company said Thursday that its full-year results are anticipated to be at the upper end of market expectations thanks to strong momentum in the business.