Market Pulse
US close: Stocks mixed on oil price rise, Fed speeches
US stocks were mixed at the close on Thursday as oil prices rose and investors weighed a worse-than-expected weekly jobless claims report and speeches from Federal Reserve policymakers.
Market overview: Grocers hit by lower consumer spend
1630:Close Stocks ended a volatile day of trading lower weighed down by a retreat in miners and after another leg move higher in the oil price faded in afternoon trading. Sainsbury was also lower after going ex-dividend while Tesco was facing a strike in Ireland on 16 May. As well, data from Barclaycard showed consumer spending fell for the second month in a row in April, as slowing wage growth, flat employment rates, and Brexit uncertainty kept growth down at 1.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Easyjet, Compass
The best is behind us in Easyjet shares as the cycle in the sector turns towards a typical phase of excess capacity, The Daily Telegraph's Questor column said.
Europe close: Chemicals stocks lead losses, oil also a drag
European stocks slipped going into the close of trading to end the day lower as crude oil futures headed lower on reports of recovering output in Canada and stock in German chemicals firm Bayer was marked down after reports it might be studying making a bid for US rival Monsanto, with another peer, BASF, said to also be waiting in the wings.
US open: Monsanto jumps on bid speculation
Wall Street slipped lower after an initial feint higher as crude oil futures changed course and headed lower, with traders also waiting on speeches from several Federal Reserve policy-makers for hints on interest rates.
Broker tips: Antofagasta, ITV, Compass
Antofagasta’s shares were under pressure on Thursday after Canaccord Genuity cut its full year earnings forecast for the miner.
London close: FTSE ends lower after BoE slashes GDP forecasts
The FTSE 100 finished in the red as the Bank of England slashed its economic growth forecasts and raised concerns about the European Union referendum.
Director dealings: Kennedy Wilson Europe director splashes out
Mary Ricks, president and chief executive of Kennedy Wilson, the manager of the Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate investment trust, has splashed out more than £216,000 to swell her stake in the property developer.
Morgan Stanley praises excellent first half performance at Compass in US
Compass's first half performance in the US was "excellent", offsetting a "sharp deterioration" in its "Rest of the World" segment.
Bayer, BASF lining up for Monsanto
Multibillion dollar seed company Monsanto was right in the thick of premarket trading in New York on Thursday, after reports emerged that German chemical conglomerates BASF or Bayer are considering a takeover bid.
FTSE 100 movers: Compass marches north, grocers retreat on consumer crunch
The FTSE 100 index started weakly, built up steam and then lost it again on Thursday, sitting 0. 8% lower at 6,113. 32 late in session.
RBS to cut 200 more branch jobs
Royal Bank of Scotland reportedly plans to axe around 200 branch jobs in Scotland, southwest England and Wales, with the lender confirming cuts were being made but not the exact number.
FTSE 250 movers: Investors rush to Superdry, leaving 3i behind
The FTSE 250 was just above the line in afternoon trading on Thursday, after the Bank of England voted unanimously to keep interest rated under lockdown while also warning of uncertainty should the UK leave the EU.
Canaccord cuts production forecasts, target price on Antofagasta
The outlook for Antofagasta continues to be positive but additional short-term weakness in the share price is likely, Canaccord Genuity told clients.
BoE cuts GDP forecasts and warns of Brexit effect on sterling, growth
The Bank of England has cut its growth forecast for 2016 gross domestic product to 2% from the previous 2. 2%, but admitted its estimates could be significantly affected by a Brexit vote.
ITV confident of first half growth despite advertising slump
In spite of a 13% decline in net advertising revenue in April, ITV said it expected it to be "broadly flat" for the first half of the year and for the group to deliver "good profit growth".
Credit Suisse lowers ITV target price but retains 'outperform' recommendation
The uncertainty surrounding the Brexit referendum will drag on ITV's advertising revenues, but investors would be wrong to try and put a 'structural' spin on what is in fact a 'cyclical' slowdown, Credit Suisse said.
US pre-open: Stock futures rise as oil prices rally, Fed speakers eyed
US stocks were expected to open higher on Thursday as oil prices rose and traders awaited speeches from Federal Reserve policymakers for hints on interest rates.
Europe midday: M&A news, oil prices lift stocks
European stocks rebounded on Thursday afternoon as M&A news gave sentiment a boost, alongside better than expected results out of Zurich Insurance and RWE.
BT to share Europa and Champions League finals for free on YouTube
BT Group will stream its live footage of the Champions League and Uefa Europa League finals on YouTube, allowing UK viewers access even if they do not subscribe to its BT Sport service.