Market Pulse
London close: Stocks end lower as investors look ahead to US non-farm payrolls
UK equities finished Thursday’s session in the red as investors erred on the side of caution ahead of the US non-farm payrolls report and as Brexit worries continued to weigh on sentiment.
Europe close: Markets tread cautiously ahead of US jobs data
European stocks reversed earlier gains to trade a little lower as caution crept in ahead of Friday’s US non-farm payrolls release.
UK government approves shale fracking
The government approved horizontal fracking for the first time as a Lancashire council appeal against it was overturned on Thursday, giving a boost to companies planning similar projects in the country.
Britain's productivity rises to pre-crisis level but remains behind G7 economies
Britain's productivity returned to pre-financial crisis levels for the first time since the downturn, but remains behind other leading economies in the G7.
Airline passenger demand down in August due to security concerns
Passenger numbers fell in August due to growing security concerns in Europe but the impact was subsiding, an industry body said on Thursday.
US open: Stocks fall on investor caution ahead of non-farm payrolls
US stocks fell as investors sat on their hands ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls report.
Tesla shares drop on Goldman Sachs downgrade
Tesla Motors slid 3. 7% in morning trade in New York after Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock.
Ebiquity shares creep up as it launches new offering
Independent marketing and media analytics consulting company Ebiquity launched a new offering on Thursday - ‘Strategic Media Consultancy’.
Harwood Wealth elevates Nick Bravery to CFO
Financial planning and discretionary wealth management group Harwood Wealth announced on Thursday that Nick Bravery has been appointed to the board as chief financial officer, with immediate effect.
FTSE 250 movers: Gold miner Hochschild leads mid-caps lower
The FTSE 250 retreated further away from its all-time high on Thursday, stung by Brexit worries and investor caution that it may be vulnerable to the reaction to Friday’s US non-farm payrolls report.
Imperial Innovations shares up on portfolio company progress
Imperial Innovations Group updated the market on Thursday, noting that its portfolio company TopiVert Pharma has announced that the first patients have been dosed in its Phase IIa proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a rectal formulation of TOP1288 in symptomatic ulcerative colitis patients with moderate to severe disease activity.
Galantas Gold confirms Omagh plans, with judicial review dates confirmed
Galantas Gold Corporation announced on Thursday that it intends, via a Northern Ireland subsidiary, to bulk sample the Kearney stringer vein on its Omagh gold property.
Trump donated to attorneys general during reviews of his businesses - report
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gave financial contributions to the campaigns of state attorneys general while his businesses were undergoing reviews, according to reports on Wednesday.
LIFE shares suspended as it considers combination
Life Science Developments released an update on Thursday, saying that since its general meeting held in October 2015, the board has been reviewing a number of possible acquisition opportunities with a view to implementing its investing policy.
BTG lifts revenue guidance on weak sterling
FTSE 250 specialist healthcare group BTG lifted its revenue guidance for the year on the back of the weak pound.
Rare Earth Minerals shares fall on Cinovec drilling results
Rare Earth Minerals reported on Thursday that European Metals Holdings, in which it owns a 20. 92% shareholding, has announced analytical results for two confirmation drill holes CIW-19 and CIW-20 at the Cinovec Lithium-Tin-Tungsten Project.
Adamas converts Fortel holding into income-generating loan
Adamas Finance Asia announced on Thursday that, as a result of a restructuring, its indirect 33. 6% shareholding in Fortel Technology Holdings has been converted into an $11. 3m interest-bearing loan.
Brexit effect to cost easyJet an extra £35m this year
Low-cost carrier easyJet posted a trading update for the three months to 30 September on Thursday, with passenger numbers reaching a record 22. 0 million with a strong load factor of 93. 9% - though the effect of Brexit on sterling is expected to cost it an added £35m for the year.
FTSE 100 movers: easyJet drops on profit warning; GKN boosted by HSBC note
London’s FTSE 100 index was flat at 7,033. 69 in afternoon trade as investors sat on their hands ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls.
SRT Marine Systems reports pre-tax loss for H1
AIM-listed maritime technology provider SRT Marine Systems made a pre-tax loss in the first half.