Market Pulse
Ascential acquires US e-commerce start-up Oneclickretail.com
Events and publishing group Ascential has acquired US-based e-commerce analytics specialist OneClickRetail. com for an initial $44m in cash plus earn-out payments based on future profits that could take the total to $225m.
Sector movers: Pharma falls into political cross-hairs again
Pharma was the odd man out on a risk-off day for stockmarkets after Mylan´s price hikes on its EpiPen selft-treatment for anaphylactic shock caused by allergic reactions drew criticism from US presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinto and several US Congressmen.
US close: Stocks end touch weaker as investors eye Yellen speech
US stocks ended a touch weaker on Thursday as traders weighed up mixed economic data and some disappointing earnings ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s speech at Jackson Hole.
FX round-up: Sterling dips as market looks to Yellen's Friday soapbox
Sterling lost some of its attitude against main rivals on Thursday, but remains overall ahead for the week and ahead of US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen's Jackson Hole soapbox on Friday.
Bellzone Mining's Guinea ferronickel project financially viable
Iron, copper and nickel explorer Bellzone Mining’s technical study for its Guinea mine said ferronickel production was viable but it will cost £51m to get it started.
London close: Equities close in the red on pharmaceuticals, ex-divi stocks
The FTSE ended lower on Thursday, led by pharmaceutical shares and ex-dividend stocks.
Wey Education increases student numbers at online secondary school
Education consultancy and independent school operator Wey Education said it was on track to meet market expectations as it saw a strong organic growth of student numbers at schools.
SolGold aims to raise further equity after Friday's share placing
Australian gold and copper miner SolGold’s shares soared 24% on Thursday ahead of its AIM share placing on Friday, as it said demand had been strong for its two capital raising initiatives.
Brick shortage could worsen housing crisis, estate agents warn
A shortage of bricks in the UK will continue to restrain supply and force house prices ever higher, according to a housing industry body, while the Brexit vote could further hamper building levels by squeezing imports and numbers of skilled construction workers.
Asia: Stocks end lower ahead of Jackson Hole
Asia stocks closed in the red on Thursday as traders held back ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole conference.
Director dealings: Burberry and BGEO directors take some profits
A pair of directors at Burberry and BGEO Group reaped hefty profits from selling shares on Thursday.
Fed's George says it's time to raise rates, CNBC reports
It was time to raise interest rates, albeit gradually, the president of the US Federal Reserve bank of Kansas City, Esther George, told CNBC.
OptiBiotix Health reports wider first half loss
OptiBiotix Health’s shares dropped on Thursday as the medical product developer reported a wider first half loss.
EntertainmentOne plunges as ITV switches off
ITV has withdrawn its proposed acquisition of Entertainment One, refusing to up its offer for the Peppa Pig owner after its initial bid was rejected, potentially leaving the door open for rumoured private equity bidder KKR.
Commodities: WTI crude stages minor rebound as pundits eye support levels
West Texas Intermediate crude futures were on the up after Wednesday's tumble on shock US oil inventories data, but there remains downside risk if it breaches current support levels around $46 a barrel.
Upside surprise in US durable goods orders for July
A key gauge of demand for investment goods shot higher in July, partly as a result of a surge in orders for aircraft.
US open: Stocks fall after mixed data ahead of Jackson Hole
US stocks fell on Thursday as traders weighed mixed economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve’s annual conference.
UK house price growth forecast to halve in 2017
House price growth will more than halve next year, according to a poll of economists by Reuters, as the impact of the Brexit vote drags on consumer confidence, household incomes and the labour market.
Markit's flash US services PMI unexpectedly drops in August
Markit’s flash US services purchasing managers’ index printed at 50. 9 in August, remaining above the 50. 0 threshold that separates contraction from expansion but below July’s 51. 4.
FTSE 250 movers: eOne too pricey for ITV, smaller banks a bargain says Merrill
The FTSE fell along with much of the market on Thursday, with Entertainment One and Just Eat leading the way lower.