Market Pulse
US close: Stocks mostly lower ahead of non-farm payrolls report
US stocks finished mostly lower on Thursday after weak economic data as traders looked ahead to the non-farm payrolls report.
Commodities: Saudi Arabia hikes price for oil to Asia, Rio chief cautious
Crude oil futures ended the session higher after Saudi Arabia increased its prices for oil cargoes heading to Asia in June by the most since April 2015.
FX round-up: Cable unfazed by data showing stalling economy
Cable finished the session flat despite a barrage of data which raised the possibility that uncertainty ahead of the Brexit referendum might bring economic growth to a halt.
Europe close: Stocks in holding pattern ahead of US jobs report
European stocks wavered as a rebound in oil prices was offset by a reluctance to make bold moves ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls report, amid thinner volumes due to holidays in Europe.
Egyptian oil explorer SDX Energy to float on AIM
SDX Energy, an oil explorer and producer with assets in Egypt, is planning to float its shares on London's AIM market later in May after agreeing an US$11m fundraising.
London close: FTSE ends flat as traders weigh economic data and earnings
The FTSE 100 finished flat on Thursday as traders digested economic data and mixed corporate earnings.
Thursday newspaper share tips: IAG, BHP Billiton
IAG and Ryanair continue to be in another league versus their continental peers such Air France- KLM and Lufthansa, the Financial Times’s Lex column said.
Director dealings: RSA's Hester shows confidence in turnaround
RSA Insurance chief executive Stephen Hester bought almost £0. 5m worth of shares in the company just after first quarter results from the company showed his turnaround plan appeared to be working.
Investec upgrades Greggs and eyes 1,250p price
Investec initiated overage of Greggs with a 'buy' rating ahead of the fast-food group's first-quarter results next Monday.
KFC takes 'finger lickin' good' to another level with edible nail polish
Fried chicken behemoth KFC has taken the phrase ‘finger lickin’ good’ to another level by launching two edible nail polishes as part of a marketing campaign in Hong Kong.
US open: Stocks rise as oil prices gain and investors await non-farm payrolls
US stocks rose on Thursday as oil prices gained and traders looked ahead to Friday’s non-farm payrolls report.
JP Morgan says National Grid strategy will pay dividends
National Grid’s strategy could be expected to pay dividends – literally so – JP Morgan said.
JP Morgan reiterates 'overweight' on pan-European Energy and Materials
Pan European small and mid-cap share outperformance year-to-date, as commodity prices rose again and the recovery in the Eurozone and its periphery got underway, was proof that a good stock strategy can help, analysts at JP Morgan said.
FTSE 250 movers: Tullow shines on oil rally; Henderson goes ex-div
London’s FTSE 250 index was down 0. 1% to 16,636. 27 in afternoon trading.
Morrisons sales continue moving up in first quarter
Morrisons increased like-for-like sales 0. 7% in the first quarter, or by 1. 2% including fuel, at the top end of market expectations.
Oil sector leads in US corporate layoff announcements in April
US corporates announced 65,141 job-cuts in the month of April according to the results of a widely-followed survey.
US initial jobless claims rise more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.
BT unveils massive network investment and strong final results
After completing what it called a "landmark year", BT Group unveiled a £6bn network upgrade programme for its newly acquired EE mobile business and Openreach infrastructure arm, including laying ultrafast fibre-optic broadband lines to around two million premises over the next three years.
Sky and EEF criticise BT's digital investment plans
BT's newly announced multi-billion-pound investment in the UK's broadband network has received stinging criticism from UK manufacturers and rival Sky over the continued use of legacy copper wire technology and the slow, uncertain pace of improvements to the nation's digital infrastructure.