Market Pulse
US close: Dow Jones sheds more than 200 points
Major indices delivered a mixed performance on Thursday as market participants thumbed over a number of data points in an effort to gain more insight into the current state of the US economy.
London close: Stocks slip as investors digest US jobless claims
London's stock markets closed in negative territory on Thursday, as investors digested a slightly lower-than-expected jobless claims number out of the United States.
Broker tips: Coats Group, Ecora Resources
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on thread and structural components' manufacturer Coats Group from 120. 0p to 135. 0p on Thursday after the group announced that its UK pension scheme was now fully de-risked, a long-awaited catalyst for the stock.
Director dealings: Harbour Energy director raises shareholding
Harbour Energy revealed on Thursday that senior independent director Simon Henry had acquired 20,000 ordinary shares in the London-listed upstream oil and gas company.
FTSE 100 movers: Vistry gains on results; AB Foods slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 8,273. 84 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
RBC Capital Markets hikes target price on Ecora Resources
RBC Capital Markets raised its target price on royalty and streaming company Ecora Resources from 100. 0p to 120. 0p on Thursday following the group's results call a day earlier.
Berenberg slightly raises target price on Coats Group
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on thread and structural components' manufacturer Coats Group from 120. 0p to 135. 0p on Thursday after the group announced that its UK pension scheme was now fully de-risked, a long-awaited catalyst for the stock.
US open: Mixed start to trading as traders digest jobs numbers
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Thursday as market participants thumbed over a number of data points in an effort to gain more insight into the current state of the US economy.
CMA launches probe into Ticketmaster over Oasis ticket sales
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster follow the sale of tickets for legendary British rock band Oasis' upcoming reunion tour, including just how the company's controversial "dynamic pricing" may have been used.
US private sector adds fewer jobs than expected in August
Private sector employment in the US rose much less than expected in August, according to figures released on Thursday by ADP.
Revenue falls but profits stable at Churchill China
Hospitality ceramics manufacturer Churchill China reported a 7. 8% decrease in revenue in its interim results on Thursday, totaling £40. 6m, compared to £44m in the same period last year.
US jobless claims drop by 5,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a decelerated pace in the week ended 31 August, according to the Department of Labor.
Xeros shares tumble as it slashes revenue, earnings expectations
Textile industry environmental innovator Xeros Technology announced a delay in the mass market launch of a new nine-kilogram washing machine by its Indian licensee IFB Industries on Thursday.
Verizon to buy Frontier Communications in $20bn cash deal
Verizon Communications said on Thursday that it has agreed to buy Frontier Communications, the largest pure-play fibre internet provider in the US, for $20bn in cash.
US pre-open: Futures little changed ahead of jobs data
Wall Street futures were little changed ahead of the bell on Thursday as market participants looked ahead to a number of data points that should provide more insight into the current state of the US economy.
Fusion Antibodies strengthens financial position despite revenue decline
Preclinical antibody discovery and engineering specialist Fusion Antibodies said in its final results on Thursday that despite a challenging year with a decline in revenue, it had strengthened its financial position and expanded its pipeline of opportunities.
London midday: Stocks dip ahead of US jobs data
London stocks had dipped into the red by midday on Thursday as investors eyed the release of US jobs data.
Safestay reports 23pc rise in first-half earnings
Hostel operator Safestay reported a 23% increase in first-half EBITDA on Thursday, reflecting significant operational progress and portfolio expansion.
Oriole Resources swings to first-half profit
West and Central Africa-focussed exploration company Oriole Resources reported a first-half pre-tax profit of £1. 15m on Thursday - a significant improvement compared to a loss of £0. 86m in the same period in 2023.
International PPL declares interim dividend in line with target
Infrastructure investor International Public Partnerships declared a fully cash-covered interim dividend of 4. 18p per share in its half-year results on Thursday, contributing to full-year target dividend growth of 3%, bringing the total to 8. 37p per share for 2024, up from 8. 13p in 2023.