Market Pulse
US close: Stocks eke out gains as oil prices recover
US stocks eked out small gains after a choppy session as oil prices recovered, but investors were reluctant to make any bold moves ahead of Friday’s all-important nonfarm payrolls report.
Sector Movers: Resource stocks tick higher, housebuilders slip further
Resource stocks ticked higher on Thursday, but housebuilders slid further as the FTSE 100 closed lower.
Europe close: Stocks end lower ahead of monthly US jobs report
Most European stock benchmarks ended lower on Thursday, with investors pausing for breath after five consecutive days of gains and ahead of a key US jobs report he next day.
London close: FTSE closes lower as traders sift through data
The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Thursday following a batch of downbeat economic data.
Commodities: Oil rally extends to fourth successive session
Oil prices rallied on Thursday for the fourth successive session, with Brent and WTI futures posting gains for much of the European afternoon.
Boeing unveils self-cleaning toilet
Travelling germophobes could soon be much happier doing their business at 30,000 feet, with Boeing unveiling its self-cleaning 'Clean Lavatory' on Thursday.
Director dealings: Poundland's new CEO buys in as company kicked out of 250
The day after his appointment as new chief executive of Poundland, Kevin O'Byrne bought shares costing the equivalent of 547,781 Charlie Dimmock-branded wooden-handled trowels, or 547,781 Messy Mutts small microfibre towel, or 547,781 tubs of Lyles Golden Syrup in the single-priced retailer's stores.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Virgin Money, Challenger banks
Homes are not always a safe repository of value, as property busts show, but at the moment they are the safest corner of the UK banking space.
Brexit would not benefit UK economy, City currency analysts agree
Not one single forex strategist believed Britain voting to leave the European Union in the 23 June referendum would benefit the UK economy, according to a new poll.
US central bank should be patient in raising interest rates
The US central bank should be “patient” when it comes to interest rate hikes, the president of the Federal Reserve bank of Dallas said.
US open: Stocks fall as investors cautious ahead of non-farms report
US stocks fell on Thursday as investors erred on the side of caution before the release of Friday’s non-farm payrolls report.
FX Roundup: Dollar takes a tumble on ISM, jobs data
The dollar headed lower against major crosses on Thursday, following a sequence of disappointing macroeconomic data.
US service sector cools off modestly in February
Activity in the US services sector slowed down slightly last month, albeit by less than most economists had forecast.
Total’s outlook revised to ‘negative’ by Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings has revised French oil major Total’s outlook to ‘negative’ from ‘stable’ but affirmed its long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'AA-'.
Market overview: US service sector cools off in February
1500: The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing purchasing managers’ index retreated from a reading of 53. 5 in January to 53. 4 in February. That was better than the 53. 1 which economists had pencilled in.
Getting to Heathrow set to be difficult this weekend
Travellers heading for Heathrow Airport this weekend were being warned to plan ahead on Thursday, with the possibility that two of the three rail services to the airport would be out of action.
FTSE 100 movers: Admiral charges ahead while Whitbread slumps
The FTSE 100 was down 0. 28% to 6,130. 15 in afternoon trading on Thursday, having gained X to Y, as oil slipped back and investors digested the slowest growth in construction since last April.
Markit's US services PMI in contraction territory
The latest data from Markit confirmed that business activity in the US services sector contracted in February.
Thursday broker round-up
ITV: Jefferies reiterates buy with a target price of 310p, Exane BNP Paribas keeps at neutral with a target of 250p, UBS stays at sell. 230P target and Nomura reiterates buy with a target price of 320p.
Petroceltic advises shareholders to take no action on Worldview bid
AIM-listed oil and gas company Petroceltic International has told its shareholders to take no action as regards Worldview’s 3p per share offer, which it believes undervalues the group.