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Friday preview: UK GDP, US consumer confidence ahead
Investors' attention at the end of the week will shift back towards the UK and the latest gross domestic product figures.
US close: S&P 500 snaps best streak in two years after Powell remarks
US stocks dropped on Thursday, with the S&P 500 falling for the first time in nine sessions, after the head of the Federal Reserve refrained from calling time on interest-rate hikes and a Treasury sale went poorly.
London close: Stocks gain as investors await Powell speech
London’s stock markets were buoyant at the close of trading on Thursday, influenced by Chinese inflation data, a substantial influx of corporate news, and a speech from the Fed chair later in the global day.
Broker tips: Unilever, Auto Trader, Rainbow Rare Earths
Barclays upgraded Unilever to 'overweight' from 'equalweight' on Thursday and lifted its price target on the stock to 4,600. 0p from 4,300. 0p, having turned more positive after digesting chief executive Hein Schumacher's strategy update and targets.
Director dealings: M&S director snaps up 50,000 shares
Marks & Spencer revealed on Thursday that non-executive director Cheryl Potter had acquired 50,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed retailer.
US open: Major indices head south as Dow Jones snaps winning streak
US stocks were in the red at the opening bell on Thursday as investors digested this week's jobless claims data from the Labor Department and some key inflation data out of China.
Apple suffers legal blow in €14.3bn tax dispute with Brussels
A key legal ruling in Apple’s favour should be overturned, a senior legal adviser to the European Union’s highest court has argued, in the latest development in the US tech giant's long-running €14. 3bn tax dispute with Brussels.
FTSE 250 movers: Lancashire Holdings gains on results; Wizz flies lower
London’s FTSE 250 was up 1% at 18,032. 52 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Sylvania Platinum chair resigns, non-exec to succeed him
South Africa-focused platinum group metals developer and producer Sylvania Platinum announced on Thursday that Stuart Murray would step down as chairman starting 31 December.
Wine maker Chapel Down planning to list on AIM
Wine maker Chapel Down announced plans on Thursday to move its share listing from the Aquis Exchange to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) after a record harvest.
FTSE 100 movers: Auto Trader rallies; Flutter under the cosh
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 7% at 7,455. 57 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US initial jobless claims fall by 3,000
Americans filed unemployment claims at a decelerated pace on the week ended 4 November, broadly in line with market expectations.
SoftBank slides to quarterly loss on WeWork collapse
Softbank Group posted a multi-billion pound loss on Thursday, after the Japanese conglomerate was hit by the collapse of WeWork.
Barclays upgrades Unilever to 'overweight'
Barclays upgraded Unilever to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ on Thursday and lifted the price target to 4,600p from 4,300p, turning more positive on the stock having digested chief executive Hein Schumacher’s strategy update and targets.
Berenberg lowers target price on Rainbow Rare Earths following TechMet deal
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on minerals exploration and production company Rainbow Rare Earths from 43. 0p to 38. 0p on Thursday but stated the group's $50. 0m TechMet deal had de-risked its funding case.
Investment activist Brett Stone urges OnTheMarket shareholders to reject CoStar deal
Investment activist Brett Stone on Thursday urged OnTheMarket shareholders to reject a £99m takeover by US commercial real estate information group CoStar, arguing the deal is "opportunistic" and "significantly" undervalues the company.
US pre-open: Futures mixed following Chinese inflation data
US futures were pointing to a mixed open ahead of the bell on Thursday as investors looked ahead to this week's jobless claims data from the Labor Department and digested key inflation data out of China.
London midday: Stocks tick higher amid earnings deluge; Powell speech eyed
London stocks had ticked higher by midday on Thursday as investors mulled the latest Chinese inflation data, waded through a deluge of corporate news and eyed another speech by Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.
UK mortgage arrears jump in Q3 as higher rates bite
The number of mortgages in arrears increased in the third quarter of 2023, with buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage holders suffering the worst, according to figures out Thursday by UK Finance.
Balfour Beatty completes two disposals
Balfour Beatty has completed two disposals, the infrastructure specialist confirmed on Thursday, raising nearly £26m.