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UK borrowing, mortgage approvals rise in May
Mortgage approvals and consumer borrowing rose in May, according to the latest data from the Bank of England.
Accounting watchdog to probe BT's Italian accounts
The Financial Reporting Council has launched an investigation into PricewaterhouseCoopers' audit of BT's financial statements for 2015 to 2017 after the company found a £530m black hole in its Italian accounts.
Asia report: Markets ahead as traders digest central bank signals
Markets in Asia were higher across the board on Thursday, with a strong finish on Wall Street overnight giving the region reason to rise, as traders continued to digest a week of key central bank signals.
Spanish CPI falls less than expected in June
The cost of living in Spain decreased by slightly less than expected in June according to a preliminary estimate.
EU could be left with €20bn gap following Brexit
Brexit could lead to a €20bn deficit in the European Union’s annual budget, according to the commissioner in charge of the bloc’s finances.
Wood Group more cautious as work in North Sea, Saudi Arabia slows
First half trading at Wood Group was weaker than expected because of a large drop in projects and modifications work, especially in the North Sea, leading the company to adopt a more cautious stance on the full-year outlook.
JD Sports out of fashion as it signals margin pressure
Shares in JD Sports tanked on Thursday as the retailer hinted at margin pressure and said it was on track to meet market expectations for the full year.
Europe open: Gains for banks offset by euro strength
A successful round of US bank stress tests results lifted their European peers at the start of trading, but a weaker US dollar meant many other sectors on the Continent, especially export-facing ones, were left holding the tab.
Stobart Group set to meet targets as CEO steps down
Investors in infrastructure and support services company Stobart Group were gathering in Guernsey on Thursday for the company’s annual general meeting, with the board set to confirm it remained on track to deliver its targets at London Southend Airport, and in its biomass supply business.
Purplebricks FY losses more than halve as revenue surges
AIM-listed hybrid estate agent Purplebricks said on Thursday that its full-year losses more than halved as revenue surged and the company lifted its UK revenue expectations for the current year.
NewRiver buys out balance of four shopping centres
Retail and leisure property investor NewRiver REIT announced on Thursday that it had exchanged conditional contracts to acquire the remaining 50% share in its BRAVO joint ventures from subsidiaries of BRAVO II, for a cash consideration of £59. 4 million.
Tesco asks CMA to speed up Booker merger review
Supermarket giant Tesco gave the Competition and Markets Authority a hurry-along on Thursday, over its proposed merger with wholesale group Booker, first announced on 27 January.
London open: Stocks led higher by miners, banks
London stocks pushed higher in early trade, with miners and banks putting in a strong performance as investors continued to digest recent comments from central bankers.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Public sector pay, North Sea, Qatar
Philip Hammond, the chancellor, faces a cabinet revolt over public sector pay as ministers demand an end to the 1% wage cap on five million workers. Sir Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, and Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, called for the easing of the central austerity measure yesterday. Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is to add to the pressure within days, using a meeting to urge Mr Hammond to agree a more generous deal for nurses. - The Times.
Inmarsat successfully launches Europe in-flight internet satellite
Mobile satellite communications operator Inmarsat confirmed the successful launch of its S-band satellite (Inmarsat S EAN) for the European Aviation Network (EAN) on Thursday.
Colin Jones stepping down as Euromoney finance chief
Euromoney Institutional Investor announced on Thursday that Colin Jones, the group's finance director, had informed the board of his intention to retire by the summer of 2018.
DS Smith surges on acquisition as it posts 31% jump in profit
FTSE 250 packaging company DS Smith reported a 31% rise in full-year pre-tax profit on Thursday as it announced the acquisition of an 80% stake in US packaging and paper producer Interstate Resources from Merpas Co for $920m.
Sirius Minerals makes solid progress on its North Yorkshire project
Fertiliser development company Sirius Minerals updated the market on the development of its North Yorkshire polyhalite project or the first quarter of 2017 on Thursday.
Greene King FY sales rise and dividend lifted, but backdrop uncertain
Pub operator Greene King posted a rise in adjusted profit but a drop in statutory profit for the year, as revenues grew and the company lifted its dividend.
Randgold upbeat on Massawa viability despite current project shortfalls
Randgold Resources issued an update on its Massawa gold project in Senegal on Thursday, announcing that the feasibility study was scheduled for completion by “the middle of next year”, when a final decision on its development would be made.