Market Pulse
Scisys optimistic after problem contract resolved
Preliminary results from Scisys confirmed a strong second half recovery that lifted the numbers above expectations.
US close: Stocks draw in claws ahead of NFP
US stock markets closed out the year's strongest month but showed a little caution on Thursday ahead of Friday's April Fools non-farm payrolls report.
Exclusive: Santander to cut headcount at corporate HQ and at Spanish unit
Spanish lender Santander will carry out a reorganisation of its operations in its home country with a view to increasing its digital footprint, simplifying its internal processes and avoiding undesirable overlaps between different units.
Anbang backs out of Starwood chase to leave door open for Marriott
China's Anbang has backed out of the takeover battle for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, according to reports, leaving the door open for Marriott International.
Bonds: Gilts close bumper quarter amid weakness in sterling
These were the most widely followed longer-term sovereign bond yields:.
Sector movers: Resource stocks shrug off base metal price drop
Resource blue chips headed higher on Thursday, despite a decline in base metal prices but headline London indices still ended the session in negative territory.
Commodities: Oil futures recoup losses, base metals head lower
Oil futures recouped losses late on Thursday, while base metals saw lacklustre trading in Europe.
Director dealings: Bob Morley stirs it up at Quarto
Illustrated book publisher Quarto's been informed that co-founder Bob Morley, currently a non-executive director, sold 1m shares at 246p per share and announced he was stepping down as non-executive director with immediate effect.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Tritax Big Box REIT, Paragon
Tritax Big Box REIT appears to keep going from strength to strength, The Daily Telegraph´s Questor said.
London close: Stocks end month on a down note
London stocks slumped on the last trading day of the first quarter, as investors waited on the all important monthly US jobs report, which was due out on the next day.
Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls in foucs
The US non-farm report is in focus on Friday as the Federal Reserve takes into account the health of the labour market in determining the timing of another interest rate hike.
FX Roundup: Dollar struggles following record overnight slide
The dollar continued lower against major global currency crosses on Thursday, in wake of a dovish stance taken by US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen earlier in the week and despite a rise in the Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index for March.
Argentina's senate approves debt repayment deal
Argentina’s senate has approved President Mauricio Macri’s repayment deal aimed at holdout creditors.
Europe close: Stocks finish lower as oil prices retreat
European stocks closed lower on Thursday, with oil prices retreating and investors left digesting two key pieces of US data that missed consensus forecasts.
GlaxoSmithKline to drop patents in world's poorest countries
London-listed pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline said on Thursday that it is evolving its graduated approach to filing and enforcing patents so that IP protection reflects a country’s wealth.
UK inflation expectations hold steady
UK inflation expectations for the year ahead held steady at 1. 5%, although the average man on the street was increasingly uncertain about the outlook for prices, the most recent survey from Citi/YouGov found.
US open: Wall Street set to test record highs, pundits say
US stocks continued their push into the black for the year and the quarter ahead of Friday´s all important monthly jobs report, with some well-known pundits and strategists beginning to eye a return to record levels for some of the main stock market gauges.
FTSE 250 movers: Analysts lead resources higher, Interserve sinks
The FTSE 250 was cruising just below the line on Thursday afternoon, as investors digested fresh data pointing to weak consumer confidence, and a wider current account deficit in the fourth quarter.
Chicago PMI rises more than expected in March
The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ index rose six points to 53. 6 in March, led by sharp rebounds in production and employment.
FTSE 100 movers: Tui flies higher on trading update but Pearson drops
London’s FTSE 100 index was down 0. 3% to 6,182. 73 at 1430 GMT as investors digested weak UK data releases and a bigger-than-expected rise in US initial jobless claims.