Market Pulse
WCI Communities surges on Lennar deal
Shares in WCI Communities surged on Thursday as the lifestyle community developer and luxury homebuilder announced a $643m merger agreement with Lennar Corporation.
Europe midday: Stocks push higher after Fed leaves rates on hold
European stocks rose on Thursday after the Federal Reserve stood pat on rates but indicated a hike would come later this year.
London midday: Equities rise after Fed keeps interest rates unchanged
UK equities advanced on Thursday after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged and cut the number of rate increases they expect this year from one to two.
Union Jack Oil raises £0.7m in placing
Union Jack Oil announced on Thursday that it has raised £0. 7m before expenses, through a placing of 411,764,706 new ordinary shares of 0. 025p at a price of 0. 17p per placing share.
Rental income and earnings fall at Secure Property Development
South east Europe-focused property company, Secure Property Development & Investment, announced its unaudited half year results for the six months to 30 June on Thursday, with rental income of €2. 66m.
Glencore gallops higher as Liberum bullish on China's coal policy
Glencore shares topped 200p for the first time in over a year on Thursday as recent sector gains were amplified as broker Liberum relented on its 'sell' rating.
Conroy Gold reports positive Clay Lake drilling results
Gold exploration and development company, Conroy Gold and Natural Resources announced the latest results from its drilling programme on the Clontibret gold deposit on Thursday.
E.ON shells out £3.1m over missed appointments
Energy company E. ON is paying out £1. 2m to customers and £1. 9m to energy charities for missing appointments and then failing to compensate customers as required by the industry’s guaranteed standards.
McLaren denies reports of acquisition by Apple
British luxury carmaker McLaren has poured cold water on reports that it has been in discussions with Apple over a possible takeover or strategic investment by the US tech giant.
Gulf Keystone boosts revenue, narrows loss
Independent oil and gas exploration and production company Gulf Keystone Petroleum announced its results for the six months to 30 June on Thursday, with revenues of $102. 1m recognised during the period, up significantly from $30. 1m in the first half of 2015.
British car production hits 14-year high
UK car production rose to its highest output in 14 years in August, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), thanks to higher domestic and overseas demand.
Small business confidence falls first time since 2012
Morale among small to medium sized businesses fell for the first time in four years, an industry body said on Thursday, due to concerns about the future of the British economy.
UK manufacturing output increases, CBI Industrial Trends survey finds
UK manufacturing output continued to grow at a "solid" rate in recent weeks, according to the CBI's monthly industrial trends survey that also indicated the sector's confidence had bounced back strongly since the Brexit vote.
US pre-open: Stocks set for another day of gains
US stocks looked set for another day of gains on Thursday a day after the Federal Reserve decided to stand pat on rates but suggested a hike would come later this year.
WPP to invest in French media investment group LNEI
WPP said on Thursday that it will invest in French media investment group Les Nouvelles Editions Independantes (LNEI) as it looks to focus more on Western Continental Europe following the Brexit vote.
Mortgage lending increases 7% in August, says CML
Mortgage lending in the UK increased month-on-month in August, as fears over the fallout from the Brexit vote on the housing market proved to be "wide of the mark”, the industry body for bank and building societies said on Thursday.
Mission Marketing hikes interim dividend after acquisition boost
Mission Marketing, the marketing communications and advertising group, announces a rise in earnings after further acquisitions in the first half.
Panmure Gordon to invest up to £2m in PrimeXtend
Institutional stockbroker and investment bank Panmure Gordon will make a cash investment of up to £2m in PrimeXtend, a business focused on the evolution of agency broker services.
Big Six energy company profits to drop 22%, Jefferies warns
Seeing "significant headwinds" for the Big Six energy companies profits due to increased competition and lower power prices, broker Jefferies has downgraded Centrica and Drax to 'underperform' ratings.
Mitchells & Butlers recent trading boosted by weather but FY sales down
Pub group Mitchells & Butlers reported a drop in full year sales but a rise in the most recent eight weeks of trading, as it reiterated that full-year margins will be below the previous year.