Market Pulse
US open: Stocks start the day with a Ho-Ho-No
US stocks opened lower on Thursday, amid lower volumes and a shorter session due to Christmas Eve - though they were still heading for solid weekly gains.
London close: Stocks end slightly higher as traders clock off for Christmas
The FTSE ended on a modest rise on Thursday as UK markets closed early for the Christmas break.
Sector movers: Resource stocks dominate as London indices head sideways
Resource stocks, benefitting from an uptick in oil prices and a relatively stable metals market, dominated proceedings in pre-Christmas trading on Thursday, as both major London indices headed sideways.
US pre-open: All traders want for Christmas is crude
It seemed US traders couldn't get enough of that black, sticky stuff on Thursday, as oil prices edged higher on Asian and European trade ahead of the bell in New York.
UK mortgage approvals rise 25% in November, BBA reveals
The number of UK mortgage approvals in November rose 25% to 76,295 compared to a year ago, according to the British Bankers’ Association on Thursday.
Commodities: Oil futures up as WTI premium holds firm
The oil market registered further price increases on Thursday with WTI futures extending overnight gains well into the pre-Christmas trading session.
Belgian man arrested in connection with Paris attacks
A Belgian man has been arrested in connection with the militant attacks in Paris last month which killed 130 people.
Santa's cheer uneven across Asian markets
Traders had the Buck's Fizz out early in Australia on Thursday, as the markets down under closed a short Christmas Eve trading day with a last-minute Santa rally.
Half of small businesses working through Christmas Day
While many Britons were spending Christmas with their loved ones, almost half of small businesses were planning on working through the holidays, according to a new survey.
FX Roundup: Pound trades higher following softer UK GDP data
The dollar headed lower against a basket of global currencies on Thursday, with the pound sterling posting gains over the last trading session before Christmas.
Castle Street suspended as reverse takeover revealed
Trading in Castle Street Investments was suspended on Thursday morning, as the firm announced it was in advanced discussions with a potential acquisition targed in the IT manages services sector.
Sirius Minerals signs deal with China's Huaken for North Yorkshire potash mine
Sirius Minerals has signed a seven-year deal to supply Chinese import and export group Huaken International with polyhalite from its mine in North Yorkshire.
Segro sells Slough office portfolio for GBP325m
FTSE 250 property firm Segro announced it had exchanged contracts to sell its large portfolio of offices on Bath Road in Slough for £325m.
London open: Stocks broadly flat on short trading day before Christmas
The FTSE opened broadly flat on Thursday as the market looked set for a quiet day of trading on Christmas Eve.
London pre-open: Traders set for quiet day on Christmas Eve
London's FTSE 100 is expected to open up 0. 14% on Thursday from the previous day’s close of 6,240. 98 as the market prepares for a quiet day of trading on Christmas Eve.