Market Pulse
FTSE 100 movers: Centrica rallies on results; Anglo slumps on credit downgrade
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 9% to 5,977. 71 at 1500 GMT as investors digested data showing Chinese inflation grew less than expected in January.
Darty delivers despite Paris effect
French electrical retailer Darty reported strong sales at home and in Belgium over the Christmas period.
Friday preview: Standard Life reports full year results
Insurance giant Standard Life is expected to report broadly flat full year profits on Friday, according to UBS.
US leading indicators fall in line with estimates
The US Conference Board’s leading economic indicators fell as expected in January.
Philly Fed index remains in contraction
Manufacturing conditions in the Philadelphia region remained weak in February, albeit not as bad as expected, according to the latest report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
US open: Stocks rise as oil prices surge; weekly jobless claims fall
US stocks advanced on Thursday as oil prices rose and as jobs data showed an unexpected drop in weekly unemployment claims.
Asda launches new price cuts after sales slow further in fourth quarter
Asda boss Andy Clarke claimed the supermarket was "not in crisis" despite sales worsening in the fourth quarter and market share shrinking.
US initial jobless claims show unexpected drop
The number of first time unemployment benefits claimants in the US unexpectedly fell last week.
US pre-open: Stocks set for positive open as oil rises
Stocks on Wall Street looked set for a positive open on Thursday amid rising oil prices, as investors looked to the release of some key data.
WPP buys stake in Brazilian marketing agency
Media agency WPP’s wholly-owned operating company Ogilvy has acquired a majority stake in Brazilian online social and content marketing agency 3yz Marketing Digital.
Morrisons is takeover target for private equity consortium, rumours say
Supermarket group Morrisons could be a £6. 4bn takeover target for Tesco or a private equity consortium led by Permira, according to newspaper reports.
Anglo American credit rating cut to junk for third time this week
Anglo American’s credit rating was cut to junk for the third time this week on Thursday.
Asia report: Australian energy stocks put spring in region's step
Australia led a region-wide rise in Asia on Thursday, with stocks in the country closing at their highest level in more than a fortnight, egged on by creeping oil prices.
Mortgage lending flies to best start since 2008
Levels of UK mortgage lending declined 9% in January compared to the previous month, yet it was the best start to the year since 2008.
Europe midday: Stocks push higher as investors eye ECB minutes, US data
European stocks shook off a tentative start to trade higher on Thursday amid well-received corporate news, as investors looked ahead to the latest minutes from the European Central Bank and a slew of US data.
London midday: Stocks fall after China inflation misses forecasts
London stocks dropped on Thursday as official data showed China inflation grew less than expected in January.
Madagascar Oil threatens delisting as backers play hardball
Despite being on the verge of securing a crucial project partner, Madagascar Oil has warned it may delist from AIM in order to secure urgently needed funds from its major backers.
Lancashire's wings clipped in 2015 results
Lancashire's wings were clipped significantly as it flew through a rather rough 2015, with the company reporting some significantly depressed returns and earnings for the year on Thursday, the same day its chairman announced his intention to step down.
Rurelec secures new short-term loan facility
Rurelec has entered into and fully drawn down a short-term loan facility with Bridge Properties for £850,000.
Martin Thomas steps down as Lancashire chairman
Lancashire prepared to bid farewell to its chairman of almost a decade on Thursday, with the announcement that Martin Thomas was to step down after the annual general meeting, having been in the role since 2007.