Market Pulse
Provident Financial impresses with Vanquis outperformance
Third quarter results from Provident Financial showed the non-standard lender's UK bank continued to surpass expectations, with other businesses solid.
Scottish prosecutors identify two new suspects in Lockerbie bombing
Two Libyans have been identified as new suspects over the Lockerbie bombing, according to various media reports.
Friday preview: Eurozone inflation in focus as ECB faces calls for fresh stimulus
The final estimate on September Eurozone inflation will be in focus on Friday as the European Central Bank comes under mounting pressure to boost stimulus.
London close: Stocks up as US inflation exceeds forecasts
The UK equity market was in positive territory on Thursday after US inflation data beat forecasts.
FX round-up: Kiwi dollar leads USD charge
The New Zealand dollar was the standout performer on Thursday, though the US dollar was slightly stronger against sterling and euro, and the pound was up on the single currency.
Sector movers: Metals and tech help markets rebound
Industrial metals and technology hardware helped the London markets rebound from Wednesday’s losses, buoyed by a higher than expected increase in Chinese lending figures.
Just Retirement directors increase stake ahead of merger
Several of Just Retirement Group’s directors couldn’t resist snapping up a bigger portion of the company ahead of its merger with Partnership Assurance Group.
FTSE 100 movers: Burberry trips lower, ARM flexes
The FTSE 100 slowly recovered Wednesday’s losses, up 55. 73 (0. 89%) to 6,325. 34 by mid-afternoon Thursday.
Commodities: Metals mixed after better-than-expected US CPI
Metals prices swayed between ups and downs on Thursday as the dollar strengthened after a better-than-expected US inflation report.
FTSE 250 movers: Renishaw bounces back, Serco sapped by HSBC downgrade
The FTSE 250 rose steadily on Thursday, in parallel with most equity indices worldwide. By mid afternoon the UK's mid-cap index was up 0. 63% at 16,671. 7 points.
Philadelphia Fed index contracts again in October
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, manufacturing activity in the region contracted for the second month in a row in October.
US open: Stocks rise as investors digest deluge of data, earnings from banking giants
US stocks rose in early trade as invested digested a raft of mostly disappointing data which reinforced the case for the Federal Reserve to stand pat on rates for longer, along with key earnings.
Renishaw downgrades full-year revenue guidance
Metrology and engineering company Renishaw said it now expects full-year revenue to be below previous guidance, as it posted a drop in sales and profit for the first quarter.
Merrill Lynch downgrades Burberry after results miss forecasts
Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded Burberry to 'neutral' and cut its target price to 1,500p after the fashion group's first-half sales fell short of forecasts.
Broker tips: Smiths Group, WH Smith, Burberry
Exane BNP Paribas downgraded Smiths Group to ‘underperform’ from ‘neutral’ and cut the price target to 830p from 1,000p.
Alent says Platform Specialty Products has received antitrust clearance from China
Alent said the recommended offer for the company by Platform Specialty Products has received antitrust clearance from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
Citi sees upside to Glencore equity
Glencore has a bit of a communications problem but its financial metrics are in many aspects similar, if not better, than those of its peers and some worries have been overstated, analysts at Citi said.
US CPI comes in above forecasts in September
The US Consumer Price Index fell for a second month in a row in September but was nevertheless stronger than expected when compared with year-ago levels.
US jobless claims unexpectedly drop to 42-year low
The number of first time unemployment benefits claimants in the US unexpectedly fell last week to match the lowest level in 42 years.
Goldman Sachs third-quarter results miss expectations
Third-quarter results from banking giant Goldman Sachs missed expectations on Thursday, as trading revenues were hit by worries about global economic growth.