Market Pulse
UK house prices increases remain steady, says Nationwide
UK house prices increased by a steady 0. 3% month-on-month in February, the same rate as the month before but below the consensus forecast of 0. 4%, according to data from the Nationwide building society.
Inmarsat profit drops amid weak government spending
Satellite communications provider Inmarsat posted a drop in full year profit amid weak global government spending.
BHP's Samarco agrees $8bn compensation programme
BHP Billiton's part-owned Brazilian mining venture Samarco has agreed a B$30bn ($8bn or £5. 5bn) program of compensation and clean-up from the bursting of a mine tailings dam last November.
London pre-open: Equities track oil futures lower
The Footsie was being called to start slightly lower despite overnight gains on Wall Street, as stocks continued to track movements in the oil price.
Thursday newspaper round-up: National Grid, Rolls-Royce, bookmakers
The energy regulator Ofgem is to be handed sweeping new powers to manage the country’s electricity supplies, switch off factories and request emergency back-up generation, under energy market reforms being considered by Whitehall. Documents seen by The Times show ministers are considering three main options designed to strip National Grid of its role as the UK’s power system operator, a role that grants it huge supervisory influence. - The Times.