Market Pulse
Retail footfall resilient in August despite riot disruption
Retail footfall across the UK experienced a slight decline of 0. 4% year-on-year in August, according to fresh BRC-Sensormatic IQ data released on Friday morning.
London close: Stocks mixed as investors digest fresh US data
London's stock markets closed in a mixed state on Thursday, as investors reacted to fresh economic data from the United States, including the latest GDP and jobless claims numbers.
Broker tips: Close Brothers, Bunzl
Close Brothers surged on Thursday as RBC Capital Markets upgraded the shares to 'outperform' from 'sector perform' and hiked the price target to 620. 0p from 375. 0p, citing a number of potential catalysts.
Director dealings: Pantheon International director raises stake
Pantheon International revealed on Thursday that non-executive director John Burgess had acquired 166,038 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed investment trust.
FTSE 100 movers: Whitbread boosted by upgrade; Diageo goes ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% at 8,378. 49 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stocks higher as traders thumb over multiple data points
Wall Street stocks were firmly in the green at the open on Thursday as market participants thumbed over a number of key macro points early on.
US initial jobless claims fall to 231,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a decelerated pace in the week ended 24 August, according to the Department of Labor, but remained well above the average seen earlier in the year.
US GDP growth revised higher for second quarter
The annual rate of economic growth in the US more than doubled in the second quarter, according to revised estimates from the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday.
Sainsbury's to buy 10 Homebase stores
Sainsbury’s said on Thursday that it has agreed to buy 10 leasehold stores from HHGL Limited, trading as Homebase, for conversion into supermarkets.
Best Buy lifts profit guidance after Q2 comparable sales beat
Best Buy hiked its profit forecast for the year on Thursday, amid a positive shift in consumer demand for electronics.
US pre-open: Futures trade higher following Nvidia Q2 earnings
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Thursday as market participants prepared for a number of data points scheduled for release later in the day.
Frenkel Topping flags solid revenue growth despite challenges
Frenkel Topping Group, a specialist financial and professional services firm in the personal injury and clinical negligence markets, reported solid revenue growth for the first half of the year in an update on Thursday, despite facing challenges within one of its subsidiaries.
Dollar General shares slide as it downgrades full-year forecast
Shares in Dollar General were sliding in early trade on Thursday, after the retailer revised its annual sales and profit forecasts downward, citing a reduction in consumer spending on discretionary items.
Tracsis ends year in line with revised guidance
Tracsis said in an update on Thursday that its financial performance for the year ended 31 July was in line with revised guidance, despite a challenging operational environment.
Somero still confident despite challenging first half
Concrete levelling equipment specialist Somero Enterprises reported a decline in first-half revenue and profitability on Thursday, attributing the downturn to a combination of external factors including elevated interest rates, labour shortages, concrete rationing, and inclement weather across key markets.
Essensys FY revenues grow, LBITDA narrows
Software and technology group Essensys said on Thursday that full-year revenue, underlying losses and cash were all on track to beat current market expectations.
London midday: FTSE stays up as investors mull Nvidia results, eye US GDP
London stocks had maintained gains by midday on Thursday as investors mulled results from chip maker Nvidia and looked ahead to the latest US GDP numbers.
BBGI posts solid set of interim results
BBGI Global Infrastructure announced a robust set of interim results on Thursday, achieving a net asset value total return of 2. 4%, with its portfolio maintaining a high asset availability rate of 99. 9%.
Apax Global Alpha to invest EUR 29m in Veriforce
Apax Global Alpha (AGA) announced an expected investment of €29m in supply chain risk management specialist Veriforce on Thursday.
PRS REIT shareholders seeking to replace chairman, director
PRS REIT announced the receipt of a requisition letter from a group of significant shareholders on Thursday, collectively holding 17. 3% of its issued share capital.