Market Pulse
RBC upgrades Lancashire Holdings to 'sector perform'
RBC Capital Markets upgraded Lancashire Holdings to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ and lifted the price target to 625p from 500p.
Tesla set to update Autopilot system
Elon Musk has said that US carmaker Tesla will outline upgrades to software for its Autopilot system on Thursday, in changes which could be applied within the next few weeks.
Asia report: Sour start to September as oil prices drop
Markets in Asia opened September by closing mostly lower on Thursday, with an overnight drop in oil prices dragging sentiment down, and traders seemingly shrugging off better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data.
US pre-open: Stocks to kick September off in the black
US stocks looked set to kick September off in the black on Thursday as investors awaited a slew of data releases.
Canaccord sees upside at Randgold despite cutting earnings forecasts
Canaccord upgraded its rating on Randgold to 'buy' but cut its target price to 8,590p from 9,075p after being disappointed by recent second-quarter results and increased cost assumptions.
First BA flight to Iran in four years takes off after sanctions lifted
The first British Airways flight in four years took off from London on Thursday in the latest symbol of thawing relations between the west and Iran after the lifting of sanctions.
UK manufacturing PMI hits 10-month high in August
Activity in the UK manufacturing sector improved more than expected in August, according to data released on Thursday.
Chinese manufacturing activity expands in August, PMIs show
Chinese manufacturing activity expanded in August, according to two separate reports on Thursday.
BP signs second Chinese shale gas contract with CNPC
BP has signed a second production sharing contract (PSC) for shale gas exploration, development and production with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
McColl's Q3 total sales up amid expansion
Convenience retailer McColl’s Retail Group reported a rise in third-quarter total sales but a drop in like-for-like sales, as it said it is on track to deliver full-year results in line with the board’s expectations.
International PPL grows NAV and profit in first half
Infrastructure investment company International Public Partnerships posted its half year results to 30 June on Thursday, with continued net asset value growth over the half year of 6. 3% to £1. 37bn.
Markit eurozone manufacturing PMI ticks lower in August
Markit’s final eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 51. 7 in August, marking a three-month low.
Safestore expects to 'slightly' beat profits forecasts
Although third quarter sales slowed moderately, Safestore said adjusted earnings for the full year are likely to be "slightly ahead" of current market expectations.
Pennon director McAulay steps down as Viridor CEO
Pennon director Ian McAulay has resigned with immediate effect as he stepped down as chief executive of the FTSE 250 group's waste business.
Ascential's main shareholders sell down stakes and withdraw directors
Ascential's former owners Apax Partners and Guardian Media Group have together sold £200m shares in the events and publishing company and consequently withdrawn their two representatives from the FTSE 250 company's board.
Europe open: Stocks rise as oil prices rebound
European stocks pushed up in early trade amid rising oil prices, as investors digested mixed data out of China.
London open: Stocks edge higher as investors digest mixed China data
Stocks in London edged higher in early trade as investors digested some mixed Chinese data ahead of the release of UK manufacturing figures.
AstraZeneca offloads anaesthetic rights to Aspen
AstraZeneca announced on Thursday morning that it has completed its commercialisation agreement with Aspen Global Incorporated, for rights to its global anaesthetics portfolio outside the US.
Hays full-year profit, net fee income up
FTSE 250 recruiter Hays reported a rise in profit for the year to the end of June as net fee grew and the company said it was too early to gauge how Brexit will affect the business.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Pension deficits, sovereign bond yields, Rolls-Royce, Poundland
The scrapping of a dividend by specialist plastics group Carclo due to its spiralling pension deficit triggered rules that prohibited a payout could be a watershed moment for British business as it highlighted the crisis in corporate pensions. The combined deficit of all the UK’s 6,000 pension funds has risen by £100 billion to £710 billion in the past month, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Skyval Index. - The Times.