Market Pulse
Europe midday: Stocks gain as Nvidia boosts mood; EZ data in focus
European stocks were still firmer by midday on Thursday as investors mulled the latest reading on eurozone business activity and blowout earnings from US tech giant Nvidia.
Bloomsbury announces record revenue, chairman succession plans
Bloomsbury Publishing reported exceptional financial results in its preliminary results on Thursday, reaching record high revenue and profit levels, as it also announced its chairman succession plans.
Rolls-Royce makes 'strong start' to FY24
Aerospace and defence business Rolls-Royce said on Thursday that it had made "a strong start to the year", building on its "record" performance in 2023 despite continued industry-wide supply chain challenges.
Hill & Smith flags positive start to year
Infrastructure products specialist Hill & Smith reported a positive start to the year in an update on Thursday, slightly exceeding expectations.
Essentra FY adjusted operating profits seen in line with expectations
Essential components provider Essentra said on Thursday that it was on track to deliver full-year adjusted operating profits in line with internal expectations.
JPMorgan double upgrades Unilever to ‘overweight’
JPMorgan Cazenove double-upgraded Unilever on Thursday to ‘overweight’ from ‘underweight’ and hiked the price target to 5,100p from 3,600p after several years of caution on the equity story.
Petershill Partners reiterates FY guidance, Q1 AuM grows
Investment group Petershill Partners reiterated its full-year guidance on Thursday as it revealed assets under management had increased in the three months ended 31 March.
Asia report: Markets mixed as Bank of Korea holds rates
Asia-Pacific markets closed mixed on Thursday following the release of the US Federal Reserve's minutes overnight, which highlighted officials' concerns over persistent inflation and potential hesitations on cutting interest rates.
Energean reports strong first quarter
Energean reported a strong first-quarter in an update on Thursday, with significant growth in both operational and financial metrics.
Shaftesbury Capital reports strong leasing activity since merger
Shaftesbury Capital reported strong leasing activity and a robust financial profile in an update on Thursday.
Revenue, profits rise at newly-expanded Investec
Investec reported a 5% rise in revenue in its final results on Thursday, to £2. 09bn, driven by a strong performance from its corporate client franchises and the Investec Wealth & Investment division in South Africa.
Eurozone economic recovery gathers pace in May
The economic recovery in the eurozone gathered pace in May, according to preliminary figures released on Thursday.
Hargreaves Lansdown rejects takeover offer from CVC-backed consortium
Hargreaves Lansdown confirmed on Thursday that it had rejected a 985p per share takeover offer from a consortium comprising of CVC, Nordic Capital and Platinum Ivy, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
British Land reports strong rental growth, fall in net tangible assets
British Land highlighted strong rental growth and stable values in the second half of the year in its final results on Thursday.
Qinetiq upgrades full-year outlook, shares surge
Defence technology firm Qinetiq surged on Thursday after lifting its full-year guidance as it reported a jump in underlying profit and revenue.
Capital & Regional confirms takeover proposal from Vukile, expression of interest from NewRiver
Capital & Regional surged on Thursday after confirming it had received a non-binding indicative proposal from Vukile about a possible cash and share offer and a separate expression of interest from NewRiver REIT.
Public sector wins underpin growth for Bytes
Bytes Technology Group reported a strong set of preliminary results on Thursday, as gross invoiced income (GII) surged 26. 7% to £1. 82bn, driven by major contract wins in the public sector, notably with the NHS and HMRC, and sustained demand from corporate clients.
Tate & Lyle reports solid year, completes Primient exit
Tate & Lyle reported a robust full-year financial performance driven by strong profit and cash metrics on Wednesday, as it also announced the sale of its stake in American firm Primient.
Great Portland Estates acquires West End Flex conversion opportunity
Property developer Great Portland Estates has acquired a West End Flex conversion opportunity at The Courtyard, WC1 from the City of London Corporation.
London open: Stocks dip as investors mull general election, Nvidia results
London stocks dipped in early trade on Thursday as investors got their first chance to react to news of a general election on 4 July and blowout earnings from US chip giant Nvidia.