Market Report
US close: Nasdaq hits new record as tech and retail lead way
Investors chased the Nasdaq and S&P to new record closings highs on Thursday ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend, with the tech sector driving the gains to offset falling oil prices as Opec's production cut disappointed.
Friday preview: Major US data due - but Fed looking further forward
There's little on the London corporate calendar ahead of the long weekend, with two big data releases Stateside in the form of revised first quarter gross domestic product and durable goods orders - both offering the potential to move markets if they deviate much from forecasts.
FX round-up: Sterling's flirtations with $1.30 denied by UK growth disappointment
Sterling's flirtations with convincingly crossing the $1. 30 resistance mark were dealt a blow by disappointing UK first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth data out this morning.
Old Mutual on track to float two business as part of 'managed separation'
Investors in Old Mutual were preparing to gather for the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday morning, with chief executive Bruce Hemphill set to update them on the company’s trading for the year, as well as an update on its ‘managed separation’.
London close: FTSE mired in range trade as oil majors drop after Opec pledge
Shares in London flickered around their starting levels for most of the day, mimicking the disappointing pattern of range-bound trade also seen among Europe's main indices.
Europe close: Stocks drift lower in holiday-thinned trading volumes
European markets ended slightly lower amid thin trading volumes on account of the Ascension holiday in many countries, with investors ignoring gains on Wall Street as they digested the US central bank policy meeting minutes released overnight.
Total Produce reports 'satisfactory' start to year
International fresh produce supply company Total Produce updated the market on its trading on Thursday, ahead of its annual general meeting, confirming that trading for the first four months of the year had been “satisfactory”.
Broker tips: BT Group, National Grid, Acacia Mining
Exane BNP Paribas downgraded shares of BT Group from 'neutral' to 'underperform'.
Univision wins contract to replace CCTV on Hong Kong's MTR lines
UniVision Engineering has won a contract to provide closed-circuit television for Hong Kong's MTR public rail system that is worth around ten times the company's sales last year.
Exane downgrades BT Group, recommends dividend cut
Exane BNP Paribas downgraded shares of BT Group from 'neutral' to 'underperform'.
Sector movers: Oil shares hit by OPEC decision, Petrofac
Oil stocks were under the cosh despite a decision from OPEC to extend a supply cut deal for another nine months, although in the oil equipment space it was Petrofac that was inflicting the greatest pain.
Flowtech Fluidpower maintains 'positive' momentum
Investors in Flowtech Fluidpower were arriving at the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday morning, with chairman Malcolm Diamond MBE preparing to update them on the company’s current trading.
Trump meets with EU leaders as Russia proves stumbling block
US President Donald Trump met with several European leaders in Brussels on Thursday as a NATO summit got underway in the Belgian capital.
FTSE 250 movers: Wizz Air flies higher on results; Petrofac gushes lower again
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 19,959. 57 in afternoon trade.
Commodities: Crude futures fall as Opec extends curbs by nine months
Crude futures dived into the red Thursday as Opec extended its output cuts for a further nine months and into March 2018, sparking a quick round of profit taking and disappointing some in the market who wanted more.
US open: Wall Street setting new records ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Investors are pushing the main Wall Street averages to fresh record highs ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend, with the much maligned retailers leading the charge.
Henry Boot reports on 'encouraging' trading
Land promotion, property investment and development company Henry Boot updated the market on its current trading and outlook on Thursday, as investors gathered for its annual general meeting.
FTSE 100 movers: 3i boosted by Canaccord note; BT hit by Exane downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% to 7,523. 06 in afternoon trade as investors digested news that the UK economy grew less than expected in the first quarter.
Acacia Mining's Tanzania dispute 'no laughing matter', say analysts
Tanzania has launched a new investigation after Acacia Mining was accused by a government committee of under-reporting gold exports, with analysts in disagreement over how much hot water the FTSE 250 company finds itself in.
Weekly US jobless claims hold near multi-decade lows
One of the most closely-followed gauges of the health of the US labour market remained near multi-decade lows last week.