Market Pulse
Director dealings: Hilton Food chairman offloads shares
Hilton Food Group revealed on Thursday that chairman Robert Watson had disposed of 14,747 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed food packaging business.
Broker tips: DCC, FirstGroup
JPMorgan Cazenove reinstated coverage of DCC on Thursday with an 'overweight' rating and 6,700. 0p price target, stating that it was positive on the stock for three reasons.
FTSE 100 movers: JD Sports in fashion; Vodafone goes ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 8,272. 80 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stock cautiously higher following jobless numbers
Major indices were cautiously higher early on Thursday as market participants digested a number of data points, including this week's jobless claims data from the Labor Department.
US jobless claims come in ahead of expectations
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at an accelerated clip in the week ended 1 June, according to the Department of Labor.
ECB cuts rates for first time in five years
The European Central Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, as widely expected.
Camellia FY revenues seen higher, pre-tax losses expected to widen
Tea producer Camellia said on Thursday that annual revenues were expected to grow year-on-year despite reduced tea production expectations in India and further drops in tea prices in both Kenya and Malawi.
US pre-open: Futures little changed following Nvidia's record-setting rally
Wall Street futures were little changed ahead of the bell on Thursday as market participants awaited the release of this week's jobless claims data from the Labor Department.
London midday: Stocks tick up ahead of expected ECB rate cut
London stocks had ticked higher by midday on Thursday as investors eyed an expected 25 basis points rate cut from the European Central Bank.
Concurrent Technologies secures two 'important contracts'
Computer products designer Concurrent Technologies said on Thursday that it has secured "two important contracts" via its recently acquired Phillips Aerospace business.
JPMorgan reinstates ‘overweight’ rating on DCC
JPMorgan Cazenove reinstated coverage of DCC on Thursday with an ‘overweight’ rating and 6,700p price target.
Inspecs H1 revenue and underlying earning seen lower YOY
Eyewear manufacturer Inspecs Group warned on Thursday that interim revenues and underlying earnings would be lower than the prior year and more in line with historic trading.
UK construction sector grows at fastest pace in two years
The UK construction sector grew in May at its fastest pace in two years, according to a survey released on Thursday.
London open: Stocks nudge up ahead of ECB announcement
London stocks nudged up in early trade on Thursday following an upbeat close on Wall Street, as investors awaited an expected 25 basis points rate cut from the European Central Bank.
ITM Power FY losses better-than-expected
Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power said on Thursday that full-year underlying losses were better than initially expected as it worked to attain "a positive operating rhythm" throughout the twelve months ended 30 April.
Wood Group to 'engage' with Sidara on takeover proposal
Wood Group said late on Wednesday that it had decided to "engage" with Sidara after the Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm made an improved and final takeover proposal last week at 230p a share.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up ahead of ECB announcement
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Thursday following an upbeat close on Wall Street, as investors awaited an expected rate cut announcement from the European Central Bank.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Nvidia, Rishi Sunak, M&S
Shares of Nvidia rallied to record highs on Wednesday, with the artificial-intelligence chipmaker’s stock market valuation hitting the $3tn mark and overtaking Apple to become the world’s second most valuable company. The chipmaker’s stock was up 5. 16% at $1,224. 40, giving Nvidia a market value of $3. 01tn at market close. Apple’s market capitalization was at $3. 00tn at market close as its stock climbed 0. 78%. – Guardian.