Market Pulse
US close: Stocks end lower amid rate hike concerns
US stocks ended weaker but off lows on Thursday as the prospect of a rate hike as early as June continued to unnerve investors.
Drop in commodity prices may have a silver lining, oil is key, Macquarie says
Commodity markets were bathed in red following a sharp run-up in Fed hike expectations on the previous day, although by early in the evening on Thursday the latter had again come down significantly.
Miners and oil majors lead drop
Miners and big oil led the retreat in the stockmarket, with the former coming under profit-taking again as the froth seen in some commodity prices earlier in 2016 continued to come out of the market on Thursday.
Europe close: Big oil, commodities retreat, banks rise
European stocks took a page out of Wall Street's book on Thursday, tracking losses Stateside following the release of more hawkish-than expected minutes of the US central bank's last rate-setting meeting late in the previous session.
Market overview: Miners, Big oil down
1630:Close Stocks close lower led by miners and big oil, alongside some interest rate sensitive darlings of investors such as National Grid and Paddy Power Betfair. Recent political turbulence in South Africa is taking its toll on Old Mutual. Silver miner Fresnillo is off the most, some market chatter of late has been pointing to too quick a run-up in the price of silver. High Beta stocks such as HL are also lower. The SFO's investigation into Rolls Royce trundles on, dragging the stock lower.
Fed's Fischer refrains from remarks on immediate policy outlook
The US economy needs to reach a higher rate of so-called potential growth, the central bank's vice-president Stanley Fischer said in a statement.
Small caps news round-up
Vernalis warned investors on Thursday of looming supply issues with an upcoming drug it will distribute - Moxatag - as its Ireland-based supplier Suir Pharma was placed into provisional liquidation. The AIM-traded company said information was limited at this time, but it had been informed by the liquidator that it intends to seek a purchaser for the business as a going concern.
Friday preview: Spectris and Close Brothers update on quarterly trading
Precision instruments maker Spectris will update the market on its first quarter trading on Friday after reporting soft full year results earlier in the year.
London close: FTSE ends lower on prospect of US interest rate hike
The FTSE 100 finished on the back foot on Thursday as the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy meeting minutes continued to weigh.
Director dealings: Regus's boardroom banker buys stock
Regus director François Pauly has picked up shares in the flexible office provider not long after a strong first-quarter trading statement.
Mobile Streams' shares dive on FY warning
Shares in tech stock Mobile Streams nosedived about 30% after the company warned its full-year revenues would be lower, with EBITDA and operating losses materially higher.
US open: Stocks fall as hawkish FOMC minutes continue to weigh
US stocks declined on Thursday as investors continued to digest the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy meeting minutes.
June FOMC will be live, Fed's Dudley says
The door is open to an interest rate hike by the US central bank when it meets in mid-June, a top official said.
Greece posts larger than expected primary surplus
Greek finances were in far better health over the first four month of 2016 than markets had expected.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks bury miners in afternoon trading
The FTSE 100 was trading in the red on Thursday afternoon, as the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy meeting minutes overshadowed a better-than-expected UK retail sales report.
FTSE 250 movers: Thomas Cook tanks; Restaurant Group surges on reports
London’s FTSE 250 index was down 0. 7% to 16,769. 36 in afternoon trading.
US jobless claims fall less than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell a little less than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.
US court dismisses Takeda's claims against Hikma Pharmaceuticals
The US District Court for the district of Delaware has dismissed claims made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA against Hikma Pharmaceuticals and its wholly-owned US subsidiary West-Ward Pharmaceutical.
Britvic interim profit up, on track to deliver on FY earnings guidance
FTSE 250 soft drinks company Britvic posted an increase in interim profit amid growing revenue, and said it was on track to meet its earnings guidance for the year.
EgyptAir flight made sharp turn and changed course before disappearing from radars - BBC
The EgyptAir flight that disappeared over the eastern Mediterranean in the early hours of Thursday morning made two sharp turns before losing altitude and radar controllers lost contact with the aircraft.