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US close: Wal-Mart and Apple lead modest rebound
US stocks rebounded on Thursday, as Wal-Mart and Apple gained and combined with economic data to boost the mood.
Former FBI director Mueller appointed to lead Russia probe
The US Department of Justice has appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead the investigation into Russian interference in last year's presidential election, as the pressure on President Donald Trump grows.
London close: Stocks retreat for second day as retail revives pound
London stocks ended Thursday down near where they finished last week as a stronger pound and worries about the stability of the US administration knocked them back from the record highs earlier in the week.
Petrofac boss Asfari donates to Tories amid SFO probe
Under-fire Petrofac chief executive Ayman Asfari made a donation to the Conservative party ahead of June’s general election, despite being under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.
Friday preview: Hikma has chance to 'refocus'
Outside of Iran, where citizens head to the polls to pick the next president, Friday should be very quiet on the macroeconomic front and fairly relaxed on the company news calendar, though Hikma Pharmaceuticals has a chance to reassure investors after its recent US regulatory disappointment.
Commodities: Gains in energy offset by weakness in metals, agriculturals
Weakness in metals and agricultural futures dragged the commodities complex lower, offsetting strength in energy.
Europe close: Selling abates but stocks still end lower
Stocks on the Continent ended the day mostly lower but off their worst levels of the session even as investors reassesed the investment landscape following recent events in Washington.
Itaconix looking to 're-balance', cut costs
Designer and manufacturer of specialty polymers Itaconix announced on Thursday that, following the acquisition and integration of Itaconix Corporation in the USA, it was implementing operational changes to the group.
Ex-NSA Michael Flynn will not honor subpoena to testify
Former US national security adviser Michael Flynn would not honour a subpoena to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee, the panel's chairman said.
FX round-up: Brazilian real crushed, Mexican peso under pressure
The spotlight shifted towards emerging markets on Thursday, with the worsening political situation in South America's largest economy hogging the headlines.
Asda's quarterly sales improve again, WalMart at risk from Lidl launch
Asda's like-for-like sales continue to decline in the first quarter of the year, though US parent company Wal-Mart saw improvement in the underlying business.
Broker tips: ABF, Sophos Group, Tullow Oil
Analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their target price on shares of Associated British Foods, pointing to the company's differentiated positioning and potential upside from its Click & Collect model to back up their case.
Prudential unveils strong first quarter and Asia reshuffle
Prudential has reported strong first-quarter profits growth and a boardroom reshuffle, with finance chief Nic Nicandrou shifted over to manage the key Asia business and a 26-year Deloitte veteran appointed to take over as chief bean counter.
Asset sales, cash calls still possible at Tullow, Canaccord says
Canaccord Genuity trimmed its target on shares of Tullow Oil after revising its short-term 'price deck' for the price of Brent lower.
Dalata takes freeholds at two Dublin hotels
Dalata Hotel Group announced on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Kieran Wallace as receiver to acquire the freehold interest of certain elements of the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane in Dublin 2 and the Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley, also in Dublin, for a consideration of €62. 5m.
FTSE 250 movers: Berendsen surges on offer; Petrofac gushes lower
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 5% to 19,680. 61 in afternoon trade as investors kept a close eye on political developments across the pond.
US open: Stocks stabilise amid better than expected data
Stocks rebounded as the negative newsflow out of Washington eased and following the release of somewhat better than expected data on the jobs market and factory activity in the US mid-Atlantic region.
FTSE 100 movers: Shire rallies on drug trial; Shell goes ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1% to 7,428. 79 in afternoon trade amid worries about US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trading in Brazilian stocks headed for rocky start, real crushed
Capital markets in Brazil were sent into a tailspin by allegations that president Michel Temer had sanctioned paying bribes to the main architect of ex-president Dilma Rousseff's ouster.
Shire rallies on positive HAE drug trial
Shire shares rallied on Thursday as the biopharmaceutical group said phase 3 results for its lanadelumab treatment for hereditary angioedema showed a significant reduction in the monthly attack rate.