Market Pulse
US close: Stocks end down but well off lows as oil recovers
US stocks ended down but well off lows on Thursday as oil prices recovered following a media report that OPEC may cut oil production.
Fitch revises BP's outlook to 'stable', affirms at 'A' rating
Fitch Ratings has revised its outlook on oil giant BP’s long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘Stable’ from ‘Positive’ and affirmed the IDR at 'A'.
Only 3% of UK companies capable of delivering their own strategies, survey finds
An industry survey found 97% of board members and their direct reports at organisations in the UK admitting they need new or additional skills to successfully deliver their strategies.
Commodities: Gold futures spike 5% on safe haven calls
Gold futures spiked by more than 5% following safe haven calls on Thursday, while oil benchmarks and base metals endured yet another torrid session.
Sector movers: Precious metal miners up, financial stocks tumble
Precious metal extractors rose on Thursday, but much of wider London market endured yet another torrid trading session.
Credit data does not yet point to a global downturn, Capital Economics says
The US Federal Reserve’s Senior Loan Officer Survey, published last week, made for grim reading, but so far the money and credit data from the four major advanced economies did not support the view that the world was on the brink of a broad-based downturn, a leading think-tank said.
FX Roundup: Dollar slips further as Yellen testimony continues
The dollar endured another torrid session against the yen on Thursday, as US Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s testimony to Congress neared its end.
Market overview: Banks pummeled as central banks wade into FX markets
1630:Close The Footsie outperformed its European peers on Thursday, to the scant comfort of investors. A larger-than-expected cut to interest rates by the Riksbank set off furious buying in the sovereignbond space, with the yield on 10-year Gilts hitting a record low. That came alongside reported FX intervention by the BoJ and a warning from the SNB that it might cut its own rates further. Financials were again lower, with the DJ Stoxx 600 Banks index dropping sharply and shares in Credit Suisse, Socgen and StanChart to be seen near their lowest levels since the late-1980s.
Twitter edges lower after reporting flat user numbers
Shares in Twitter were sent packing after the company reported that user growth numbers topped out at the end of 2015 and provided lower-than-expected financial guidance.
Detection of gravitational waves confirms Einstein's theory of relativity
Scientists have detected the presence of gravitational waves for the first time, proving part of Albert Einstein's 1915 theory of general relativity and opening up a new means of observing the Universe.
US Treasury notes may be near turning point, Unicredit says
Unicredit’s proprietary fixed-income trading models were pointing to excessive pessimism and close to reaching a ‘trigger’ for going ‘short’ US 10-year Treasury notes, the lender said on Thursday.
Europe close: Banks pummeled as central banks step into FX markets
European stocks took a battering on Thursday, with banks and energy issues pacing the decline, as oil prices slid, investors fled to safety, and some central banks moved to offset strength in their currencies.
London close: Stocks slide as Yellen sparks recession worries
The FTSE 100 slumped on Thursday as Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said there was a “chance” of a recession.
Plutus PowerGen goes green with biofuel deal
Plutus PowerGen turned green on Thursday, signing a memorandum of understanding with Green Biofuels for the supply of renewable biofuel.
Irish long-term debt auction sees strong demand
The Irish Treasury got off €1. 0bn in 10-year debt at a record low yield on Thursday in the face of election uncertainty, amid a recent sharp increase in demand for those sovereign bonds deemed safest by investors.
Aminex sells stake in Tanzanian licence to Solo Oil
Oil and gas explorer Aminex is selling a 3. 8% interest in the Kiliwani North Development licence in Tanzania to Solo Oil for $2. 16m (£1. 49m), the company announced on Thursday.
Eden Research product for vineyards approved in Italy
One of Eden Research's long-term projects came to fruition on Thursday, with the company announcing its product - 3AEY - had received authorisation in Italy, and would be released to the market by the company's local partner.
Metal Tiger bites into ZimNRG
Metal Tiger was in expansion mode on Thursday, announcing an investment in ISDX-quoted resource firm ZimNRG.
One in ten train disruptions caused by staff shortages
Around one in 10 delays and cancellations on Britain's railways were caused by shortages of staff, new data from the Office of Rail and Road revealed on Thursday.
SEC probing Boeing accounting for 787 and 747 jumbo jets
The US stock market watchdog has reportedly begun investigating Boeing's accounting practices, with particular focus on its 787 Dreamliner and 747 jumbo jet programs.