Market Pulse
Marshall Motors sees significant value in Ridgeway acquisition
Marshall Motor Holdings' shares are up more than 20% after it acquired Ridgeway Garages (Newbury) Ltd for £106. 9m cash.
Asia close: PBoC to maintain slightly loose policy
Most stockmarkets in the Asia-Pacific region saw the day out with small gains, as traders waited on the result of Thursday´s meeting of G7 central bankers and finance ministers together with speeches from two US rate-setters scheduled during New York trading hours and on Friday.
US jobless claims fall more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, according to the Labor Department.
Atlas Mara wary of forex, economic headwinds
Atlas Mara sees its full-year profit to exceed the underlying $11. 3 million booked in 2015, but warns softer African currencies and a more challenging economic backdrop provide "meaningful" headwinds to achieving this.
Sable Mining Africa probes bribery and corruption reports
Sable Mining Africa, the company founded by ex-England spin bowler Phillipe-Henri Edmonds, has confirmed it is investigating allegations of bribery and corruption made against the company in Liberia.
Debenhams poaches Amazon's European fashion chief
Debenhams has poached Amazon's European fashion boss, Sergio Bucher, to be the department store group's new chief executive from October.
Europe midday: Stocks fluctuate after recent gains; Brent crude breaches $50 a barrel
European equities wavered on Thursday following two days of gains amid weakness in the banking sector, although stronger oil prices lent some support as Brent crude breached the $50 a barrel mark for the first time since November.
Exane upgrades Barclays, says the fog is lifting
Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Barclays to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target 19% to 220p, having already upped the stock two weeks ago, saying things were looking brighter and the fog is lifting.
Oil´s rise above $50 will be positive for the global economy, think-tank says
The rise in oil prices past the $50 per barrel mark was positive for the global economy all things considered, but it also made it increasingly hard to argue that deflation posed a serious threat to the US, Capital Economics said.
Vectura reports strong rise in full-year earnings
Vectura´s full-year results edged past forecasts with analysts noting the sharp improvement in its free-cash-flow generation even as they pointed out several potential share price drivers which were looming increasingly closer on the horizon.
US pre-open: Stocks seen little changed as investors pause for breath
US futures pointed to a broadly flat open on Wall Street, with investors expected to pause for breath following two sessions of gains, despite Brent crude breaching the $50 a barrel level for the first time since November.
UBS downgrades Melrose following strong performance
UBS downgraded Melrose Industries to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ with an unchanged price target of 385p following the recent strong performance, saying the next deal is more reflected in the price.
RBC upgrades Electrocomponents on improvement potential
RBC Capital Markets upgraded Electrocomponents to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ and lifted the price target to 270p from 185p, saying downside is limited.
Ibstock falls after longer brick supply chain blockage
Brick maker Ibstock said the slow start to the year for its UK clay business had lasted fourth months before reaching a positive plumb-line.
Election uncertainty weighs on Spanish GDP in first quarter
Headline economic growth in Spain remained robust at the start of the year, but the details of the report revealed a sharp slowdown in investment due to the impact of the severe political uncertainty the country was facing following the inconclusive national elections held on 21 December, analysts said.
Hornby names David Mulligan interim finance director
AIM-listed toy train maker Hornby has appointed David Mulligan as interim finance director.
Takata surges on KKR buyout reports
Shares in Japan’s Takata Corp surged on Thursday following a report that US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is looking to buy a 60% stake in the auto parts maker.
SVG Capital first-quarter NAV rises
FTSE 250 private equity investor SVG Capital said its net asset value per share rose 2% in the three months to 30 April to 666p, with NAV up 13% over the 12 months.
BBA mortgage approvals fall surprisingly sharply
Growth in the number of mortgages approved by UK lenders fell surprisingly sharply in April, according to data from the British Bankers' Association (BBA).
UK GDP up 0.4% in the first quarter
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed UK gross domestic product increased by 0. 4% in the first three months of the year, in line with the flash estimate and as expected.