Market Pulse
US close: Stocks end in the black as oil recovers
US stocks ended a choppy session in the black on Thursday as oil prices recovered.
Bonds: Eurozone CPI data drive inflation expectations lower
These were the movements in the most-widely followed longer-term sovereign bond yields:.
Global economy to skirt recession territory, Citi says
The outlook for global economic growth was darkening, especially for emerging markets, with the UK´s upcoming referendum on its membership of the European Union a 'key' extra near-term risk, Citi´s chief economist Willem Buiter said.
Overheating in real estate market a concern, Fed´s Lockhart said
Dennis Lockhart, the president of the Federal Reserve bank of Atlanta, expressed concern on Thursday evening about the risk that the real estate market might overheat.
Sector Movers: Financial stocks rally to drag London market higher
Financial stocks neutralised a decline in mining sector shares, with both London indices ending Thursday’s session in positive territory.
Moody's downgrades Rio Tinto with 'negative' outlook
Moody's downgraded the senior unsecured ratings of all rated entities within the Rio Tinto Group, including the mining giant’s subsidiaries to Baa1 from A3, with a ‘negative’ outlook.
Commodities: Oil, metal futures take another tumble
Oil futures endured another torrid session on Thursday, with both Brent and WTI front-month futures heading lower.
US economy still needs a gentle shove forward, Fed´s Williams said
The US economy still needs a gentle shove forward from monetary policy, the president of the Federal Reserve bank of San Francisco said on Thursday.
Europe close: Investors brush aside concerns of global recession
European stocks pushed higher, rebounding from heavy losses in the previous session, helped by better than expected economic data Stateside and 'dovish' remarks from one of the US Fed´s most up until now most stalwart 'hawks'.
FX Roundup: Positive US data takes attention away from pound
Currency markets remained in mixed mode on Thursday, with none of the major crosses dominating proceedings, but positive US economic data took attention away from the beleaguered pound sterling.
James Fisher and Sons wins £25m marine services contract
James Fisher and Sons has been awarded a marine services service and support contract worth more than £25m.
Inflation expectations too low for comfort, Fed´s Bullard says
The US Federal Reserve shared part of the blame for the 'sell-off' seen in financial markets, albeit not the current crop of rate-setters, and it would be "unwise" to raise rates again now, a top official said on Thursday.
Small caps news round-up
Future hard drive technology received a boost on Thursday, with the announcement from Ilika that it was taking part in a two-year project, along with Seagate and the University of Southampton (UoS), that had been awarded a £374,000 grant by Innovate UK. The AIM-traded accelerated materials innovation company said Seagate was the market leader in magnetic recording used in hard disk drive technology, most commonly used in laptops. It said UoS had developed world-class expertise in the area of nano-photonics - the interaction of nanometer-scale objects with light.
London close: Equities gain as Lloyds boosts banking sector
London stocks rallied on Thursday as Lloyds Banking Group provided a boost to banking shares after announcing a special dividend.
Crimson Tide rises on profits surprise
Crimson Tide said results for calendar 2015 will be ahead of expectations as its mpro5 mobile business software and services enjoyed robust demand.
Capital & Counties directors snap up share to boost confidence
A number of Capital & Counties Properties’ directors have bought shares in the company in a bid to boost confidence after recent results worried the market.
Henderson European Focus Trust calls in funds industry veteran
Henderson European Focus Trust has strengthened its board with the appointment of funds industry veteran Robin Archibald as a non-executive director.
Brazilian labour force shrinks in January
Brazil´s unemployment dropped at the start of the year as the economic recession led to a shrinking labour force.
Earthport dragged back to earth by apparent client fraud
Shares in Earthport have fallen back to 2012 levels after a potential fraud by a corporate client put its Baydonhill foreign exchange business at risk of a potential £5m loss.
Solid State loses MoJ electronic offender tagging contract
Solid State's £34m contract to provide electronic offender tags has been terminated by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).