Market Pulse
HSBC downgrades Premier Farnell as it lifts target price to reflect Daetwyler offer
HSBC downgraded Premier Farnell to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ as it lifted the price target from 145p to 165p, which is the price Swiss conglomerate Daetwyler is paying per share to buy the technology company.
Schroders cut to 'neutral' from 'buy' by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs downgraded Schroders to a ‘neutral’ rating from ‘buy’ on Thursday but raised its target price to 2930p from 2800p.
CMC Markets posts jump in active clients as it says no hit likely from Brexit
Spreadbetting firm CMC Markets, which listed earlier this year, reported a rise in active clients and said it did not expect to take a hit from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
Halma reports rise in Q1 revenue and order intake
FTSE 250 safety, health and environment technology group Halma reported a rise in first-quarter revenues and order intake and said the weaker pound could provide a boost.
Close Brothers trades well despite Brexit concerns
Close Brothers Group released its scheduled pre-close trading update ahead of its 2016 financial year-end on Thursday, updating the market on the five months to 30 June.
AO World surges on strong Q1 growth
Shares in AO World surged on Thursday as the online white goods retailer reported strong growth in first-quarter revenues.
Ashtead climbs on back of rival United Rentals' confident outlook
Shares in Ashtead topped the FTSE 100 on Thursday morning as investors read across from the results of US-based sector peer United Rentals, which reported slightly improved quarterly results overnight.
BGEO completes $70m buyout of Georgian Global Utilities
BGEO Group announced on Thursday that JSC BGEO Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary, has completed the recently-announced acquisition of the remaining 75% equity stake in Georgian Global Utilities.
Babcock reassures of stable order and trading in first quarter
Engineer Babcock said its order book and bid pipeline have remained stable since its final results in May and reassured that trading in the new year had "started well".
Hikma says colchicine regulatory approval upheld in US Court of Appeals
Hikma Pharmaceuticals on Thursday said the regulatory approval of its gout medication colchicine has been upheld.
Euromoney Q3 trading in line with no hit from Brexit
Euromoney Institutional Investor said trading in the third quarter has been in line with the board’s expectations and the UK’s vote to leave the European Union has had no significant impact.
SABMiller reports tough quarter as US approves AB InBev merger
Megabrewer SABMiller announced on Thursday that the US Department of Justice has given its clearance on the company’s proposed combination with AB InBev.
Howden Joinery Group's first half profits boosted by new depots
Howden Joinery Group on Thursday reported a 23. 4% increase in first half pre-tax profit on the back of higher revenues.
London open: Stocks led lower by EasyJet and IAG as Turkey worries weigh
London stocks opened in the red on Thursday as geopolitical concerns weighed ahead of the first announcement from the European Central Bank since the UK's vote to leave the EU.
Tate & Lyle Q1 profit ahead, sees boost from weak pound
Tate & Lyle said profit in the first quarter was ahead of the comparative period at constant currency and it expects earnings to increase strongly if the pound continues to be weak versus the dollar for the rest of the financial year.
Europe open: Stocks nudge up ahead of ECB rate announcement
European stocks nudged higher in early trade as investors awaited the latest rate announcement from the European Central Bank.
Unilever's underlying growth undimmed in first half despite 'tougher market'
Unilever maintained its underlying rate of sales growth at 4. 7% in the second quarter but first-half turnover fell and the fast moving consumer goods colossus said it was preparing for tougher market conditions as it sees no sign of an improving global economy.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of ECB rate announcement
London stocks were expected to open in the red as investors awaited the latest rate announcement from the European Central Bank.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Tesla, HSBC exec, Chinese imports
Elon Musk, head of Tesla Motors, has sketched out a lofty and futuristic vision for his electric car company, as he sought to regain the initiative after recent setbacks to some of his most ambitious plans. Writing on his company’s blog, Mr Musk on Wednesday laid out what he described as an update to the Tesla “master plan” he first published 10 years ago. It will involve Tesla expanding to make a full range of electric cars, buses and trucks, as well as a smartphone app through which Tesla owners will one day earn money by renting out their self-driving cars.