Market Pulse
Friday preview: Everything to hinge on referendum result
The result of the EU referendum would be in the sharpest imaginable focus on Friday, with traders likely getting up far sooner than usual, if they slept at all, as a precautionary measure given the enormous importance of the outcome for global capital markets.
Two-thirds of Tory Brexiteers back Cameron in letter
Almost two thirds of Tory MPs who backed Brexit have sent a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to remain in office independent of the referendum result.
Referendum result all but a foregone conclusion, say analysts
A number of City analysts were quick to post comments after polls closed in the EU referendum on Thursday night, with all pointing to market sentiment and late opinion polls as suggesting a Remain outcome.
Counting begins in EU referendum
Polls have closed in the referendum that will decide whether the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union.
YouGov re-contact poll puts 'Remain' at 52.0%, report says
The result of YouGov's re-contact poll puts 'Remain' at 52. 0% versus 'Leave' at 48. 0%, Sky reports.
US close: Stocks end higher as Britons cast their votes
Markets in the US closed higher on Thursday, with sterling reaching close to year-to-date highs against the greenback as sentiment swayed towards expectations that the UK will vote to remain in the European Union.
SocGen strategist says large drop in pound like in 1992 could be beneficial
A strategist from Societe Generale has said that a fall in the value of the pound may not necessarily cause a recession, but even help to stimulate a flailing UK economy.
When will the result for the EU referendum be announced?
We expect it to be a long night in the United Kingdom later as the polling stations close on Britain's colossal referendum to decide whether to Leave the European Union or remain in the bloc.
Where will the Brexit battle be won?
With political party lines being crossed almost as freely as national borders within the European Union, it's difficult to tell which way the Brexit referendum outcome will go. Voting in the referendum will be organised by 380 council areas not by constituencies, which will be the main difference from a general election night. The Independent has chosen several constituencies which may well swing the vote in favour of either side, as polls have been inconsistent in predicting a winner.
Financial markets' pricing looks sound, Pantheon Macroeconomics says
Financial markets' move on Thursday to price-in a 'Remain' vote looked "sound" but meant the scope for further gains in sterling assets was close to being exhausted, albeit with one notable exception, Gilts, a top-ranked economist said.
UK population growth surpasses half-a-million in 2015, ONS says
The population of the UK grew by more than half a million in 2015 to reach 65. 1m, according to the latest official estimates.
Obama's fracking rule blocked by judge
A US federal judge has blocked an Interior Department rule, which was to set strict standards for hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on public lands, in a blow to Barack Obama.
Thursday newspaper share tips: Debenhams, Elementis
Debenhams was making progress with its strategy to diversify its product range and manage its stock better, but a challenging clothing market meant the company's shares should be avoided, according to The Times’ Tempus.
Europe close: Stocks jump as pound hits year-to-date high
A buoyant mood prevailed in financial markets on Thursday, with European stocks and sterling sharply higher as the latest EU referendum polls put the Remain campaign just ahead.
London close: Stocks rise on referendum optimism but analysts cautious
Britain's main equity indices gained ground on Thursday as voting for the EU referendum began in the UK amid torrential rain and as bookmakers' odds and opinion polls suggested Brexit would be avoided - although some analysts were less sure.
RBS puts Williams & Glyn sale process on pause
Royal Bank of Scotland has shelved negotiations to sell its Williams & Glyn subsidiary, according to reports, which will make it difficult to complete the sale by the end of 2017 as required by the European Commission.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners gain; United Utilities, Compass drop as they go ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 9% to 6,315. 42 in late afternoon trading, off its highs but still in the black amid hopes UK voters would opt to remain in the European Union.
Director dealings: Derwent London CEO sells just ahead of Brexit vote
Derwent London chief executive John Burns has sold £1. 5m of the FTSE 250 real estate investor's shares in the week just before the EU referendum which could seriously lift or undermine the company's shares.
Barclays tells clients it will not take new FX stop-loss orders
Barclays reportedly stopped accepting new so-called ‘stop-loss’ orders from its clients dealing in foreign exchange markets.
Volkswagen may have to pay diesel owners USD7,000
Volkswagen may have to pay diesel owners up to $7,000 each under the $10bn settlement currently being negotiated in the US, reports suggested on Thursday afternoon.