Market Pulse
Juncker, May agree to new Brexit talks after 'robust' meeting
Jean-Claude Juncker and Theresa May held “robust” Brexit discussions on Thursday with no tangible progress on the Irish backstop, but agreed to hold further talks to break the impasse.
US close: Dow closes 220 lower, Sears rallies after judge approves Lampert's takeover bid
Wall Street trading ended with all major indexes recording losses on Thursday as investors sifted through more company earnings releases, with Sears staging a late rally after a bankruptcy judge approved billionaire Eddie Lampert's takeover bid.
Philip Morris shares spark up following revenue beat
Tobacco giant Philip Morris turned in revenues ahead of market expectations on Thursday despite a decline in net sales.
Europe close: Carmakers' shares pummeled amid growth, US tariff concerns
Stocks across the Channel reeled after the European Union's executive arm slashed its near-term forecasts for economic growth across the bloc and after reports broke that a sizeable distance remained between the US and China in trade talks, with the Auto&Parts sector singled out by traders for an especially punishing session, possibly amid concerns of fresh US tariffs.
Broker tips: Compass Group, Barratt Developments
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets reiterated their 'outperform' rating on British contract foodservice Compass on Thursday following a strong European performance by the group in the first quarter of its trading year.
RBC reiterates 'outperform' on Compass following 'excellent start to the year'
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets reiterated their 'outperform' rating on British contract foodservice provider Compass on Thursday following a strong performance by the group in Europe over the first quarter of its trading year.
News of Venezuelan Army desertions emerges amid standoff on Colombian border
Thousands of Venezuelan soldiers have deserted the nation's armed forces in the last five years, predating calls from caretaker President, Juan Guaido, for soldiers to lay down their weapons.
Ocado fire continues to burn for third day
Ocado shares dropped 10% on Thursday as the fire at its high-tech Andover warehouse continued to burn for a third day, with local residents having to be evacuated due to clouds of burning chemicals.
Cannacord ups target on Barratt Developments, sees upside to earnings
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their target price for shares on Barratt Developments following the company's latest six-month financials.
Twitter tumbles as costs increase for 2019
Twitter shares fell more than 10% in early trading on Thursday after the social media network published fourth-quarter 2018 earnings and guided to weaker than expected revenue and higher costs for the coming months.
Director dealings: Eco Animal Health director lowers stake
Eco Animal Health director Julia Trouse disposed of 75,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed pharmaceutical outfit on Thursday.
Friday preview: Japan data, Shaftesbury in the spotlight
Barring surprises on the US-China trade talk front, or as regards Brexit, the market spotlight will shift to Japan at the end of the week.
Shaftesbury says no indication Lee to vote against board reappointments
A day ahead of its AGM, West End property group Shaftesbury insisted that it has received no direct communication from shareholder Samuel Tak Lee, who was said to be planning on voting against the re-election of the company's bosses.
A 'sizeable distance' remains in US-China trade talks, Kudlow says
There remains "a sizeable distance" to go in US-China trade talks, US National Economic Council director, Larry Kudlow, said.
FTSE 100 movers: Compass charges higher; Tui hit by earnings downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 7% to 7,123. 18 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors mulled over a dovish policy announcement from the Bank of England.
US open: Wall Street trading opens with losses as earnings continue to pour in
Wall Street trading began with losses on Thursday as investors sifted through more company earnings releases, with social media giant Twitter, in particular, under the cosh following the release of its quarterly numbers.
Amphion Innovations still considering funding options
Amphion Innovations said on Thursday that it was not aware of any reason for the recent movement in its share price and that it is still considering its funding options.
Strix Group offers $1.3m for some of Halosource's China, US assets
Kettle safety controls manufacturer Strix Group said on Thursday that it has offered to buy certain US and Chinese assets from Halosource for $1. 3m in cash.
BoE says Brexit having greater than anticipated effects on UK
Rate-setters at the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street chose to keep a steady hand on the tiller on Thursday, even as they cut their near-term economic forecasts for the UK in the face of slower growth abroad and the stiffer-than-anticipated headwinds from Brexit.
DP Poland shares tumble as CEO exits ahead of heavily discounted placing
DP Poland shares took a nosedive on Thursday after the pizza delivery outfit announced its intention to raise some cash in order to maintain its medium-term store roll-out plans and support its sales and marketing programmes.