Market Pulse
Brussels slashes inflation forecasts, but optimistic on growth
Inflation in the euro area in 2016 was set to undershoot Brussels´s previous expectations by a very wide margin as a result of the falling oil price, but only temporarily, the European Union´s executive arm said.
Synectics wins security contract for new UK power station
Synectics’ Integration and Managed Services division has won a major contract with a new UK power station.
DQ Entertainment plunges after threats from broker and solicitors
Things are getting more serious at cartoon animation and events business DQ Entertainment, which fell to an all-time low after being threatened by its AIM nominated adviser, which said it could resign over the potential appointment of two directors.
Car sales stay in fast lane, SMMT new registrations show
Car sales enjoyed their strongest January performance for 11 years, with new car registrations rising 2. 9% in the month after what was already a record year in 2015.
Beazley a 'hold' after full year results
Insurance group Beazley was rated at ‘hold’ by Peel Hunt on Thursday after the company reported its full-year results.
Draghi warns over acting too late on inflation
European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi warned on Thursday that acting too late on low inflation was more risky than acting too early.
Electra sells Daler-Rowney to FILA Group
Electra Private Equity has sold its stake in Daler-Rowney to the FILA Group, a Milan-listed producer of writing instruments and art supplies.
Allied Minds demonstrates new memory technology
A new, more versatile form of memory, with potential applications from smartphones to the automotive industry, was a step closer on Thursday, with Allied Minds announcing the successful demonstration of a prototype of 'Spin Transfer Magneto-Resistive Random Access Memory' (ST-MRAM) technology.
House prices soar higher than expected, Halifax data shows
House prices rose by 1. 7% in January compared to the previous month, according to seasonally adjusted data from Halifax, well ahead of market's expectations of a 1% increase.
Smith and Nephew revenue flat while full year profit dips
Smith & Nephew’s full year revenue has remained flat for the year to 31 December 2015, while reported operating profit dipped.
London open: UK stocks gain ahead of BoE's Super Thursday
UK stocks gained ahead of the Bank of England’s so-called Super Thursday which includes the central bank’s policy decision, meeting minutes and Inflation Report.
Royal Dutch Shell shares rise despite full year profit plunging 80%
Despite Royal Dutch Shell posting an 80% drop in full year profit, the company's shares are up as investors knew last month what was coming and are eyeing up continued dividends.
Europe open: Stocks push higher as investors sift through earnings
European stocks rose in early trade, boosted by a late recovery on Wall Street and steadying oil prices.
Beazley Group posts growth in profit, premiums
Specialist insurer Beazley was looking at good growth in premiums and profits in 2015, revealing its final numbers for the year ended 31 December on Thursday.
AA salutes successful year as new underwriter service launches
In a year-end trading statement short on financial detail, AA Plc said trading had remained on course to meet expectations and it had as it launched its insurance underwriter service in the last week of January.
Legal & General CFO Mark Gregory to step down
Legal & General's board was looking at losing a long serving member on Thursday, as Group Chief Financial Officer Mark Gregory announced his intention to retire on 31 January 2017.
Stagecoach, FirstGroup dash hopes of early start to new London Overground
Londoners' hopes for an early start to the new Overground operation were dashed by the Department for Transport on Thursday, with the announcement two private operators had been pre-qualified to run the next South Western franchise.
Ryanair January traffic soars 25%
Traffic at low cost airline Ryanair rose 25% in January to 7. 48m, as the load factor, which gauges how many seats were taken up on flights, increased to 88% from 83%.
DFS says it's on track for full year
Retailer DFS Furniture reiterated its expectations for the full year as it reported good sales growth and cash generation in the first half.
EasyJet January passenger numbers up but load factor dips
Budget airline EasyJet’s passenger numbers rose 6. 3% in January compared with the same month in 2015 to 4. 28m.