Market Pulse
US pre-open: Stocks seen slightly higher with retailers in focus
US futures pointed to a slightly firmer open on Wall Street following losses in the previous session, although weaker oil prices were likely to cap gains.
Grainger not affected by Brexit as private rental demand remains strong
Residential landlord Grainger has so far escaped any affects of the European Union referendum, reporting that private rental sector demand remains strong.
Iraq agrees deals with BP and Shell to restart shelved projects, report says
Iraq and a group of major oil companies including BP and Royal Dutch Shell have agreed to resume production of several development projects in the country that had been mothballed due to low oil prices, reports revealed on Thursday.
Genus and Sexing still battling over semen
Animal genetics company Genus announced the first jury verdicts in its antitrust litigation against Inguran, operating as Sexing Technologies, relating to ABS's ‘Genus Sexed Semen’ processing technology.
House price growth falters as demand wanes in July, says RICS
Interest from new house buyers waned in July as sales fell, according to research by the surveying industry, pushing monthly UK house price growth to its slowest in three years and falls in London.
Riverstone improves net asset value by almost 2pc
Riverstone Energy announced its half year results for the six months to 30 June on Thursday, with net asset value reaching $1. 37bn, or $16. 24 per share, up 29 cents or 1. 79% from the beginning of the period.
DFS expects record full year results, confident of swerving Brexit effects
So far, so good for sofa retailer DFS as it posted a mixed year-end statement where it confirmed a strong second half and remained bullish in spite of a warning about the increased risk of a post-Brexit market slowdown.
Card Factory's H1 sales lower than normal in challenging retail environment
Greeting card retailer Card Factory’s shares tumbled 6% on Thursday as it reported that the retail environment had been "challenging" in the first half of the year as sales were lower than normal.
Cineworld interim profit hit by currency movements
Cineworld posted a drop in first-half profit as the company took a hit from adverse currency movements.
Derwent shares fall on uncertain outlook post Brexit
Derwent London shares fell on Thursday after the real estate investment trust said the outcome of the European Union referendum may lower activity.
Steinhoff lifts offer for Poundland
South Africa’s Steinhoff International has improved its offer for London-listed discount retailer Poundland to £610. 4m.
Europe open: Stocks waver as oil slips, investors sift through earnings
European stocks wavered in early trade as oil prices declined and investors sifted through more earnings.
PageGroup reports increase in first half profits but cautious on outlook
Recruitment firm PageGroup on Thursday reported a 16% increase in first half pre-tax profits as revenues rose on the back of strong growth in Continental Europe and Latin America.
Tui turnover reveals only small aftershock from violence in Europe
Geopolitics and a spate of violent attacks in parts of Europe hit Tui Group's revenues in the third quarter but the travel group was still confident of hitting its full year targets and said it was pleased with the start to early trading for the winter season and Summer 2017.
Barclays downgrades Travis Perkins, slashes price target
Barclays downgraded Travis Perkins to ‘underweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and slashed the price target to 1,400p from 1,950p saying the UK’s vote to leave the European Union will have a large impact on the business than the market expects, which will hit the valuation.
Hastings Group posts impressive rise in profit
General insurance provider Hastings Group Holdings announced its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Wednesday, with the board claiming “impressive momentum”.
William Hill turns nose up at Rank-888 merger proposal, again
William Hill has again given the cold shoulder to a joint merger proposal by smaller suitors Rank Group and 888 Holdings and despite its troubles this year continued to haughtily turn its nose up at the prospect of talks.
London open: Stocks in the red as oil declines, ex-divs weigh
Equity markets in London were on the back foot in early trade amid weaker oil prices, as a number of ex-dividend stocks weighed on the index.
Tritax Big Box declares dividend as portfolio value rises
Large logistics asset real estate investment trust Tritax Big Box reported its interim results for the six months to 30 June on Thursday.
Glencore zinc output down 31% in H1; ups copper guidance
Glencore reported a drop in production in the first half – with the exception of nickel and agricultural products – as expected, and lifted its full-year copper guidance.