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Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls, Fedspeak in the spotlight
As occurs at the start of each month, all eyes will turn towards the US on Friday and the release of the latest monthly non-farm payrolls figures.
US close: Stocks retreat from record highs ahead of payrolls data
US stocks were in the red on Thursday with all three Wall Street benchmarks pulling back from record highs.
Housing secretary approves rebuild plans for M&S Oxford Street
Marks and Spencer received approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government to redevelop its Marble Arch store on Oxford Street, it announced on Thursday.
Europe close: Stocks rise for sixth day despite French uncertainty
European stocks rose for the sixth straight day on Thursday, helped by an impressive surge in Milan and Madrid, though political instability in France kept a lid on gains.
London close: Stocks mixed as oil prices rise
London stocks closed mixed on Thursday as investors digested a new report on the UK construction sector and monitored political developments in France, while Frasers Group weighed heavily on sentiment after the retailer slashed its profit outlook.
Broker tips: Admiral, Diageo, Halma
Admiral shot higher on Thursday as Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted the price target to 3,020. 0p from 3,000. 0p saying it was becoming more positive on the wider UK motor insurance space, particularly for those that are larger players such as Admiral, and those that are more disciplined.
Creditors can't prevent Thames Water from using £3bn loan to pay fines - report
Thames Water's largest creditor group has been unable to prevent the company from using an emergency loan to pay expected fines from Ofwat over the coming year, according to Sky News.
Director dealings: Card Factory CFO makes share purchase
Card Factory revealed on Thursday that chief financial officer Matthias Seeger had acquired 21,244 ordinary shares in the London-listed greetings cards retailer.
FTSE 100 movers: Admiral boosted by upgrade; Frasers under the cosh
London’s FTSE 100 was flat at 8,333. 55 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stocks mixed following solid gains in previous session
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Thursday following solid gains in the previous session.
Crude prices gain as OPEC+ extends supply cuts
Oil prices were up on Thursday as OPEC+ members agreed to extend supply cuts for three months to the end of March after their recent non-ministerial meeting.
Frasers shares dive as FY profit outlook cut on Budget, weak trade
Shares in Frasers Group nosedived as the UK sportswear and fashion retailer lowered full-year profit forecasts, citing weaker consumer confidence leading up to and after the government's recent Budget and a tougher trading environment.
US initial jobless claims rise to 224,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a slightly accelerated pace in the week ended 30 November, according to the Labor Department, hitting 224,000, up from 213,000 in the previous week and ahead of expectations of 215,000.
Deutsche Bank upgrades Admiral, Aviva to 'buy'
Admiral shot higher on Thursday as Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 3,020p from 3,000p saying it was becoming more positive on the wider UK motor insurance space, particularly for those that are larger players such as Admiral, and those that are more disciplined.
Mkango, CoTec seek EPCM provider for HyProMag USA project
Mkango Resources, alongside its partner CoTec Holdings, initiated the process to select an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) provider for HyProMag USA’s rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing project in the US, it announced on Thursday.
Airbus to cut 2,000 jobs as defence and space unit struggles
Airbus has announced plans to cut just over 2,000 jobs across its defence and space business, including nearly 500 in the UK, in an attempt to slash costs.
Synectics awarded contracts in US, Philippines
Security and surveillance systems specialist Synectics announced on Thursday that it has been awarded contracts totalling $2. 7m to deploy its flagship Synergy software platform in gaming resorts in the Philippines and the United States.
Diaceutics awarded £1m in UKRI funding
Diaceutics, a technology and solutions provider for the pharma and biotech sectors, announced on Thursday that it has been awarded £1m in grant funding from the UK Research Institute (UKRI) ‘Strength in Places’ fund.
Europe midday: Shares hold gains despite French turmoil, EZ data
European shares opened higher on Thursday, despite the collapse of the French government overnight.