Market Pulse
US close: Markets finish lower as investors look towards vote
US equities finished lower on Thursday after a tsunami of economic data was released, while markets prepared for either a Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump presidency.
Europe close: Stocks slip after bounce fades
The main indices in Europe finished mostly lower, following a short-lived boost after the UK High Court ruling on Article 50 and some decent results from ING and Societe Generale.
London close: FTSE ends lower as pound rises on BoE inaction, Brexit ruling
The FTSE 100 closed down 0. 80% on Thursday as the pound strengthened after the Bank of England stood pat on policy and the High Court ruled that Parliament must vote on Brexit.
Wilmington reports a mixed start to the year
Wilmington has had a mixed start to the year with good growth from Risk and Compliance and the Insight division but a weaker performance from Legal and Finance.
Sector movers: Domestic focused shares pace gains
Domestic-focused shares paced gains after the High Court ruled that Parliament must approve the Article 50 process.
Small cap round up
Zoo Digital said on Thursday that it swung to a pre-tax profit in the six months to the end of September as revenue grew 18%. First-half pre-tax profit came in at $421,000 versus a loss of $6,000 in the same period a year ago, as revenue rose to $7. 8m from $6. 6m.
Blur Group launches its online marketplace
Blur Group, the market-leading indirect spend platform and marketplace, has successfully integrated its services online.
Tate & Lyle sweetens outlook after strong first half
Sweeteners and food ingredients producer Tate & Lyle said its full year profits were likely to be higher than first thought after profits were lifted 83% in the first half of the year by a tasty mix of organic growth and currency fluctuations.
Bank of England hikes inflation forecast to 2.7pc, retreats from rate cut
The Bank of England has increased its forecasts for inflation and economic growth for this and next year, while the Monetary Policy Committee left policy unchanged for another month and retreated from its prior hint about a further rate cut.
Director dealings: Shawbrook stand-in CFO likes what he sees
Shawbrook Group's stand-in chief financial officer, Dylan Minto, snapped up shares in the challenger bank on Thursday after it posted a strong set of third quarter results.
Southern Railway workers to strike over Christmas and New Year
Southern Railway workers will stage strikes over Christmas and the New Year as part of a long-running dispute over the role of conductors.
US open: Stocks mixed as it prepares for Clinton or Trump
US equities were mixed on Thursday after a surge of economic data was released, while markets prepared for either a Hilary Clinton or Donald Trump presidency.
H&T Group claims stellar performance ahead of year-end
H&T Group posted a trading update for the financial year ending on 31 December on Thursday.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks gain while miners drop on stronger pound
The FTSE 100 index fell by 0. 47% to 6,813. 04 in late afternoon trade.
Results round-up
Fund manager Schroders reported flat profits in the first nine months of the year as its assets under management increased despite a fall in net inflows.
FTSE 250 movers: Shawbrook shines but Esure slumps on Gocompare demerger
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 9% to 17,626. 08 in afternoon trade.
Hilton Foods churns out meaty update
Meat packing group Hilton Foods confirmed trading had continued in line with management expectations and that its strong cash generation left it well-placed for various growth opportunities at home and abroad.
ValiRx reports good progress at Georgia drug trial
Life science company focused on clinical stage cancer therapeutic development, ValiRx, updated the market on the clinical development of its novel cancer treatment drug, VAL401.
Morgan Sindall's regeneration continues to throw off cash
Construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall said it now expects to be in an average daily net cash position for the year, above its previous guidance, as it enjoyed strong trading and further growth in the order book.
Quarto posts mixed results as it integrates acquisitions
Illustrated book publisher and distribution company The Quarto Group issued its third quarter interim management statement for the quarter to 30 September on Thursday, with group revenue for the nine months through September up 5. 9% at of $130. 4m.