Market Pulse
Direct Line rejects £3.3bn takeover proposal from Aviva, shares surge
Direct Line surged on Thursday after it rejected a £3. 3bn takeover proposal from Aviva.
UK consumer sentiment remains weak - BRC
UK consumer confidence remained largely unchanged following the Budget, a survey showed on Thursday, weighed down by ongoing concerns about the strength of the economy.
US close: Stocks lower as traders thumb over multiple data points
Wall Street closed lower on Wednesday as market participants digested a slew of economic data, including the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge.
Director dealings: Easyjet director raises stake
Easyjet revealed on Wednesday that non-executive director David Robbie had acquired 7,404 ordinary shares in the London-listed budget airline.
London close: Stocks still positive after US inflation reading
London markets posted modest gains on Wednesday, following a key US inflation reading that showed relative stability in price rises in October.
US open: Stocks mixed following data onslaught
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start early on Wednesday as market participants digested a slew of economic data, including the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge.
US economy grows 2.8pc in Q3
The Commerce Department revealed on Wednesday that the US economy expanded 2. 8% in the three months ended 30 September, in line with preliminary estimates, on the back of solid strong consumer spending and increased exports.
FTSE 100 movers: Vistry Group jumps on 'bid interest'; easyJet flies lower
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 2% at 8,274. 57 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Botswana Diamonds drilling plans get environmental authorisation
Botswana Diamonds announced on Wednesday that it has received environmental authorisation from Botswana’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism to proceed with drilling two high-priority targets in the Kalahari region.
FCA fines former Wizz Air exec for secret trading
The Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday that it has fined András Sebők, former chief supply chain officer at Wizz Air, for trading company shares when he wasn’t allowed and failing to disclose his trades.
Prospex to start earning from Viura-1B well
European gas and power project investor Prospex Energy announced on Wednesday that production income from the Viura-1B development well was expected to start in early December.
Transense reports strong start to new financial year
Sensing and measurement systems specialist Transense Technologies announced a 48% increase in revenue for the first four months of its financial year in an update on Wednesday.
US jobless claims flat at 213,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at a broadly flat pace in the week ended 23 November, according to the Labor Department.
US mortgage applications surge 6.3pc week-on-week
US mortgage applications surged 6. 3% in the week ended 22 November, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, building on the prior week's 1. 7% increase.
Just Eat Takeaway to ditch London listing
Just Eat Takeaway said on Wednesday that it plans to ditch its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange after 24 December.
US pre-open: Futures lower ahead of PCE reading
Wall Street futures were in the red ahead of the bell on Wednesday ahead of a flurry of economic data, including the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge.
London midday: FTSE flat ahead of US PCE; Pets at Home tumbles
London stocks were still steady by midday on Wednesday as investors continued to mull the implications of US President-elect Donald Trump’s new tariffs and ahead of a key US inflation reading.
Focusrite reports fall in full-year revenue, earnings
Music and audio products company Focusrite reported an 11. 2% decline in full-year revenue on Wednesday, to £158. 5m, driven by weak demand in its content creation segment as the market continued to de-stock following the Covid-19 pandemic.
European Metals confirms site for Cinovec processing plant
European Metals Holdings confirmed on Wednesday that the processing plant for its flagship Cinovec Lithium Project in the Czech Republic would be located at the site of the former Prunéřov 1 Power Station (EPR1).
Strix shares slide on revised profit outlook
Kettle safety control and water technology specialist Strix Group revised its profit forecast for the year on Wednesday, citing weaker-than-expected consumer demand in key regulated markets and ongoing macroeconomic challenges.