Market Report
Europe midday: Investors wary other shoe about to drop
European stocks are near their worst levels of the day as investors wait for the proverbial 'other shoe' to drop in Washington.
Asia report: Markets lower despite Japan GDP growth
Markets in Asia finished lower on Thursday, once again taking their cues from Wall Street overnight as political tension around Trump’s leak of classified information to Russian officials and the investigation into links between his presidential campaign and Russia.
London midday: Stocks extend drop as scrutiny of Trump contacts with Russia intensifies
London stocks are near their worst levels of the day on the heels of a report that advisers to US president Donald Trump had multiple contacts with Russian officials and others with ties to the Kremlin in the run-up to the 2016 elections.
Deutsche Bank hikes target price on Sophos Group
Analysts at Deutsche Bank hiked their target price on shares of Sophos Group on the heels of management's upbeat medium-term guidance and given the company's "highly predictable" subscription-based model.
Experian lifts FY profits by 11%, announces $600m share buyback
Information services company Experian reported an 11% rise in profit for the year to the end of March as it announced a $600m share buyback for full-year 2018.
Cairn Energy posts positive results from Senegal well
Cairn Energy announced the results of another successful appraisal well offshore Senegal on Thursday.
Non-tobacco sales underpin growth at Booker
Wholesaler Booker Group posted its final results for the 52 weeks to 24 March on Thursday, with sales rising 6. 7% to £5. 3bn, consisting of 8. 7% growth in non-tobacco sales, and 2. 4% growth in tobacco sales.
Bumper summer bookings help narrow losses for Thomas Cook
Holiday operator Thomas Cook posted its half-year results for the six months to 31 March on Thursday, reporting like-for-like revenue up 3% to £2. 99bn, which the board said reflected strong winter demand to Spain and long-haul destinations.
London open: Shares weaker on stronger pound, Trump impeachment concerns
London stocks opened weaker on Thursday, taking their cue from a stronger pound and downbeat sessions in the US and Asia amid growing concerns that US President Trump could be impeached.
Breakfast and balanced choices drive growth at Greggs
Bakery chain Greggs updated the market on its trading on Thursday, ahead of its annual general meeting on Friday, reporting that total sales were up 7. 5% in first 19 weeks of 2017, compared to 5. 7% growth in the same period last year.
Europe open: Stocks slip low as traders continue to buy protection
European stocks have started the day on a down note as investors sit up and take increasing notice of political developments in Washington.
North America, Asia Pacific drive growth at SSP Group
Travel location-based food and beverage outlet operator SSP Group released its financial results for the first half of its 2017 financial year to 31 March on Thursday, reporting underlying operating profit of £42. 8m - an improvement of 24. 7% at constant currency, and 38. 5% at actual exchange rates.
Defined benefits drive new business at JRP Group
JRP Group updated the market on its trading for the quarter to 31 March on Thursday, with overall total new business sales of £436m growing by 13%, driven by a large increase in defined benefit de-risking (DB) volumes, partly offset by more normal levels of mortgage advances.
Dairy Crest profit rises in first full year without dairies
Dairy Crest posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 March on Thursday, with adjusted profit before tax up 5% to £60. 6m.
3i bumps up dividend as total return rockets
Private equity group 3i has declared a bumper dividend after its total return rocketed up 93% to £1. 59bn thanks to valuation gains on its portfolio and a big benefit from the weakness of the pound.
Euromoney Institutional pleased with first-half strategic progress
Euromoney Institutional Investor posted its interim results for the six months to 31 March on Thursday, with total revenue rising 5% to £203. 2m.
Marston's fizzing over Charles Wells brewery acquisition
Marston's announced on Thursday that it had agreed to acquire the Charles Wells brewing business from the Charles Wells Group, for a cash consideration of £55m plus working capital adjustments.
Burberry unveils new buyback after profits fall less than feared
Burberry reported annual profits at the upper end of expectations and promised investors a new £300m share buyback.
CMA gives JD Sports the nod for Go Outdoors acquisition
Sports, fashion and outdoor brands retailer JD Sports Fashion announced on Thursday that its acquisition of Go Outdoors Topco had been given unconditional approval by the Competition and Markets Authority, and that the CMA's investigation was now complete.