Market Pulse
US close: Markets end mixed as oil plummets
Stocks in the US finished mixed on Thursday as sharp drops in crude prices weighed on markets, and investors kept their wallets shut ahead of Friday’s crucial nonfarm payrolls.
FX round-up: Sterling mixed as speculation of BoE rate cut grows
Sterling was trading mixed this evening, having surrendered early session gains against the dollar as traders speculated on whether Bank of England will move to cut rates next week and, if so, by how much.
Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom win Tory MP vote as Gove eliminated
Britain is likely to see its second female prime minister by 9 September after Michael Gove was eliminated and Andrea Leadsom joined Theresa May in the next stage of voting.
Commodities: Gold, silver dip after FOMC, ahead of US non-farm payrolls
Gold, silver and copper futures dipped Thursday after their recent run-up, as expectations of a US rate rise in 2016 dried up and traders began looking to the market-sensitive US non-farm payrolls data out on Friday.
C&C drinks volumes are up but remains cautious about Brexit
Irish drinks manufacturer and distributor C&C on Thursday reported a rise in drink volumes but was cautious of Brexit uncertainty as they could be affected by the weakened pound.
London close: Banks, financials and property fly amid BoE rate-cut chatter
UK shares flew north with Associated British Foods leading blue chips on a chipper update and chased by a peloton of banking, financial and property stocks on rising expectations of a Bank of England rate-cut next week.
Europe close: Stocks finish higher on hopes of further ECB QE
Stocks in the euro-area finished higher on Thursday as the European Central Bank’s June meeting minutes showed policymakers were ready to provide more stimulus measures to the economy if needed.
Director dealings: Debenhams and NewRiver execs go bargain hunting
A pair of Debenhams directors have dipped into the market as shares in the department store group sank to a seven-year low, while the chief executive of NewRiver Retail has also looked to top up his holdings as the retail property investment group subsided to a 20-month low.
Faroe Petroleum awarded new licence in Irish Atlantic margin
Oil and gas company Faroe Petroleum was awarded a new three-year licence option in the Irish offshore by the 2015 Atlantic margin licensing round (AMLR).
FTSE 250 movers: Miners sink back down while NCC flies
The FTSE 250 was trading comfortably in the green on Thursday afternoon, as housing and property companies delivered a surprise bounce from house price data and growing expectations of a Bank of England interest rate cut.
Tullow Oil sacks off Rome well
Tullow Oil's Norwegian arm has plugged and abandoned an exploration well on the Rome prospect in the central North Sea after it failed to find any oil or gas.
FTSE 100 movers: ABF ascends above rebounding real estate and housebuilders
London's blue chip index was boosted by a bevvy of rebounding financials and property stocks, though they were topped by a surging rise from Associated British Foods.
Tata Steel puts UK assets sale on ice, reports say
Tata Steel has temporarily halted the sale of its UK assets as shortlisted suitors pulled out, citing uncertainty after Britain's non-binding referendum to quit the European Union, a report says.
Marks & Spencer clothing sales ripped to shreds in first quarter
Marks & Spencer saw a huge drop in clothing sales in the first quarter as new chief executive Steve Rowe's recovery plan for general merchandise took hold, though he remained confident about meeting full year guidance.
US open: Better-than-expected jobless claims send markets higher
US markets opened slightly higher on Thursday despite continuing Brexit jitters, as better-than-expected jobs data helped to ease sentiment.
Morgan Stanley cuts forecasts for Rightmove, Auto Trader and Zoopla
Morgan Stanley cut its forecasts and price share targets by varying degrees for internet players Rightmove, Auto Trader and Zoopla, but saw a higher price for Just Eat.
Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls in focus
The US non-farm payrolls report will be in focus on Friday as the Federal Reserve considers the health of the labour market in determining its policy measures.
Northern Petroleum's production rises despite adverse weather in Canada
Northern Petroleum has increased its production despite the heavy rain in May and June due its Rainbow assets in Canada.
Portmeirion shares crack on profit warning
Shares in homewares specialist Portmeirion Group fell by almost a quarter after its warns full-year pre-tax profits will be materially below the record £8. 6m booked in 2015.
London pays a third of tax which could wane in Brexit Britain, says report
The UK is heavily reliant on London for tax revenue, raising further concerns about the potential fallout from Brexit, according to a recent study.