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Thursday broker round-up
JD Wetherspoons: Peel Hunt downgrades to reduce with a target price of 1,150p.
Sector movers: Tech stocks pace gains
Technology stocks topped the leaderboard again on Thursday after US central bank boss, Jerome Powell, reiterated overnight the Federal Reserve's commitment to buttressing growth.
US close: Stocks finish mixed as investors mull jobless claims
Wall Street stocks closed in a mixed state on Thursday, as jobless claims last week fell by less than anticipated.
Friday preview: UK fourth quarter GDP, US consumer confidence in focus
The market spotlight at the end of the week will be on a preliminary reading for fourth quarter UK gross domestic product.
Europe close: Stocks rise after Fed chief reassures
European shares were mostly higher on Thursday as investors cheered US central bank chief Jerome Powell's decision overnight to reiterate the Federal Reserve's commitment to buttressing economic growth.
Africa to continue with AstraZeneca vaccination program
The African Union’s disease control body said on Thursday that it would continue using the AstraZeneca Covid19 vaccine, after trial data showed it had greatly reduced efficacy against the coronavirus variant dominant in South Africa.
Kimbal Musk sells $25m worth of Tesla stock
Kimbal Musk, the brother of Tesla chief Elon Musk, sold 30,000 shares of the electric carmaker worth roughly $25. 6m earlier in January, according to a securities filing.
London close: Stocks slightly higher as US jobless claims fall less than expected
London stocks closed just above the waterline on Thursday, as investors spent the afternoon digesting fresh employment data out of the United States.
United Airlines returns Boeing 737 Max to service after grounding
United Airlines has returned the Boeing 737 Max to service after grounding it for two years.
Director dealings: Safestyle CEO ups stake
Safestyle revealed on Thursday that chief executive Michael Gallacher had acquired 120,240 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed replacement windows and doors retailer.
Broker tips: National Express, Brewin Dolphin
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on transportation outfit National Express from 280. 0p to 360. 0p on Thursday, stating the group still had "more mileage left to cover".
Berenberg raises target price on National Express
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on transportation outfit National Express from 280. 0p to 360. 0p on Thursday, stating the group still had "more mileage left to cover".
Canaccord Genuity raises target price on Brewin Dolphin
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity nudged up their target price on Brewin Dolphin from 335. 0p to 379. 0p on Thursday.
Pandemic leaves millions financially exposed - FCA
One in four British adults is living with low financial resilience or other vulnerable characteristics, putting them at greater risk of harm, a survey by the Financial Conduct Authority has found.
Omega to manufacture Covid-19 tests for UK government
Medical diagnostics company Omega Diagnostics has agreed a contract with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), it announced on Thursday, to provide manufacturing capacity for Covid-19 lateral flow antigen tests as part of the UK Government's target of producing two million lateral flow tests per day.
US jobless claims fall by less than expected
US jobless claims fell by less than anticipated during the latest reference week.
FTSE 250 movers: Polypipe rises; SSP under the cosh
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 1% at 20,973. 26 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
FTSE 100 movers: Coca-Cola HBC fizzes higher; Landsec falls
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 6,532. 25 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Igas Energy reports progress despite pandemic challenges
Igas Energy updated the market on 2020 on Thursday, reporting that net production averaged 1,907 barrels of oil equivalent per day for the year, within guidance, while operating costs were around $33 per barrel of oil equivalent at an average exchange rate of $1. 29 to sterling.
EU extends airline slot relief through summer of 2021
The European Parliament on Thursday approved measures to extend the suspension of competitive access to airport slots throughout the summer of 2021 as airlines are still being impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.