Friday preview: US personal income and spending, euro area data in focus
Financial markets' focus at the end of the week will be on a slew of economic data due out in the US and euro area.
Europe close: Stocks mostly higher, boosted by US economic data
European shares finished mostly higher on Thursday, buoyed by better-than-expected data out of the US.
London close: Stocks mixed as pound pops higher
London stocks finished in a mixed state again on Thursday, after a session in which the top-flight index struggled for direction.
Tesla to pay for chips in advance to overcome shortage
US electric carmaker Tesla is set to pay in advance for chips to secure its supply of the crucial materials and continue production.
Microsoft, Mastercard join Kamala Harris's Central America strategy
US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet top officials from 12 companies and groups including Microsoft, Mastercard and the World Economic Forum on Thursday to boost economic opportunity in Central America's Northern Triangle countries.
Thursday broker round-up
Blue Prism: Canaccord upgrades to speculative buy with a target price of 1,250p.
GM restarts plants affected by semiconductor chip shortage
General Motors said on Thursday it would restart production at five assembly plants around the world that were halted due to the scarcity of semiconductor chips.
Broker tips: Tharisa, Blue Prism, Centamin, Aveva
Analysts at Berenberg slightly lowered their target price on resources group Tharisa from 200. 0p to 190. 0p on Thursday, citing a mixture of higher royalties and FX-related headwinds.
Director dealings: City Pub chairman raises stake
The City Pub Group revealed on Thursday that chairman Clive Watson had acquired 100,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed pub landlord.
ValiRx terminates peptide drug candidate deal
Clinical-stage drug development company ValiRx announced on Thursday that it has ended its agreement over the evaluation of the ‘KTH222’ peptide as a drug candidate for treating patients with ovarian cancer.
Ascent Resources planning to fund Slovenia dispute on contingency
Ascent Resources updated the market on the funding of its dispute with Slovenia on Thursday, reporting that it was advancing towards the launch of international arbitration proceedings against the country under the Energy Charter Treaty and the UK-Slovenia Bilateral Investment Treaty.
ECR Minerals makes three new licence applications in Queensland
Australis-focussed gold exploration and development company ECR Minerals announced three new strategic licence applications on Thursday, with a view to adding new exploration opportunities in the state of Queensland.
FTSE 250 movers: Hammerson rallies; Centamin loses its shine
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 2% at 22,679. 11 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stocks trade higher following better-than-expected jobs report
Wall Street stocks were in the green after the bell on Thursday as investors mulled over this week's jobless data from the Department of Labor.
Taylor Wimpey facing additional repairs costs for London block - report
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is reportedly covering repair costs for a defective London housing block that are in addition to provisions it has already made for potentially unsafe legacy developments following the Grenfell cladding scandal.
Berenberg slightly lowers price target on Tharisa
Analysts at Berenberg slightly lowered their target price on resources group Tharisa from 200. 0p to 190. 0p on Thursday, citing a mixture of higher royalties and FX-related headwinds.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally; housebuilders retreat
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 7,036. 58 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Initial jobless claims fall to fresh pandemic-era low of 406,000
Initial jobless claims came in at 406,000 in the week ended 15 May, according to the Department of Labor.
Randall & Quilter completes four portfolio transfers
Non-life speciality insurance company Randall & Quilter announced the completion of the novation of four loss portfolio transfer agreements managed by Armour Risk Management, previously in place between ILS P&C Re and various entities within the QBE Group.
Restore trading continues 'progressive' recovery
Information and data management company Restore said on Wednesday that trading for the four months to 30 April was in line with the board's expectations, with activity levels continuing to “progressively” recover.