Market Pulse
Europe midday: Stocks extend losses as commodities pace the decline
European equity markets extended early losses on Thursday, with basic resources and energy stocks under the cosh as metals and oil prices declined.
London midday: Stocks decline as UK retail sales, oil prices fall
London stocks were on the back foot on Thursday as data showed UK retail sales fell and oil prices tumbled.
Osborne stands by sugar tax, tells drinks companies to 'bring it on'
Chancellor George Osborne stood by his decision to introduce a sugar tax on Thursday.
Asia report: Oil, Fed concerns weigh on markets
Concerns over Fed rates and fresh declines in oil prices saw Asian markets end Thursday in the red, as a number of them ended their week early for the Good Friday holiday.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower as commodities decline
Stocks on Wall Street looked set for a downbeat open on Thursday, with oil and metals prices under the cosh as the dollar strengthened.
UK retail sales hold up in March, CBI says
UK retail sales have held up in March, according to an industry survey, with volumes expected to accelerate next month.
UK retail sales fall less than forecast in February, ONS reveals
UK retail sales fell in February as cold weather delayed the purchases of spring and summer attire, the Office for National Statistics revealed on Thursday.
Mortgage lending falls only slightly from post-crisis high, says BBA
Numbers of UK mortgage approvals for house purchases rose 20. 0% year-on-year in February, but unexpectedly fell compared to the previous month.
Galliford Try wins school and hospital contract, added to YORbuild2 framework
Builder Galliford Try has won a place on a major public sector construction framework agreement in the north of England, together with contracts to build a new academy school and an NHS hospital extension in Croydon.
WPP buys San Francisco-based Viscira
Advertising giant WPP has acquired digital marketing company Viscira for an undisclosed sum through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sudler & Hennessey.
Gold stocks will continue to outperform, says Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs downgraded Gold Fields and Fresnillo as it took a look at gold producers, but kept its positive stance on AngloGold and Centamin, saying fully-covered dividends and sound balance sheets were a rarity in the mining sector.
SSE says full year earnings will fall
Energy company SSE said it would still lift its dividend 1% despite earnings per share being expected to fall by up to 5. 7% for the year to end-March.
JP Morgan Cazenove starts Countryside Properties at 'overweight'
JP Morgan Cazenove initiated coverage of Countryside Properties at ‘overweight’ with a 280p price target.
SocGen upgrades Kingfisher after results
Societe Generale upgraded B&Q owner Kingfisher to ‘hold’ from ‘sell’ and lifted the price target to 359p from 333p following the company’s results on Wednesday.
London open: Stocks edge lower on oil price slump
London stocks dropped on Thursday as oil prices continued to slide and as investors awaited the release of UK retail sales figures.
Next warns coming year could be 'toughest since 2008'
Full year profits from Next were at the upper end of expectations but the clothing retailer warned the year ahead could be the toughest since 2008, with new guidance that includes the possibility that profits could decline as much as 4. 5%.
Balfour Beatty secures £170m London Underground contract extension
Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has secured a £170m two-year extension to its Track Partnership for London Underground, which is responsible for delivering essential track renewal work across the network.
Europe open: Equities in the red as energy and mining issues drop
European equity markets fell in early trade, with basic resources and energy stocks suffering the brunt of the losses as metals and oil prices declined.
Entertainment One buys control of Los Angeles reality TV maker
Entertainment One has spent $23m on acquiring a majority stake in Los Angeles reality television production company Renegade Entertainment, maker of such gems as 'Naked & Afraid' and 'Fit to Fat'.
Tritax Big Box buys Bristol warehouse for £25.2m
Tritax Big Box REIT has acquired a distribution centre in Bristol let by food wholesalers Brake Bros for £25. 2m, reflecting a net initial yield of 5. 2%.