Market Report
Non-EU migrants boost net migration as Britain sees drop in EU arrivals
244,000 more people entered the UK in the twelve months leading to 30 September than those leaving, despite falling numbers of net EU migration in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the Union.
Go-Ahead Group surges on back of one-off gains
Go-Ahead Group said its expectations for the full year had improved after the train and bus operator benefited from a one-off boost in the first half after it lost one rail contract.
UK retail sales growth slows but investment intentions rise in February - CBI
Retail sales growth in the UK unexpectedly slowed this month, according to the latest quarterly distributive trades survey from the Confederation of British Industry.
UK GDP growth trimmed as UK veers into G7 slow lane
UK gross domestic product growth for 2017 was revised down in Office for National Statistics' second estimate on Thursday, meaning last year was the economy's worst performance since 2012.
Europe open: Stocks track dip on Wall Street after Fed minutes
Stocks have begun the session lower, weighed down by the release of a more hawkish than expected set of policy meeting minutes on the other side of the Atlantic and a weak print on a key business confidence gauge out of the single currency bloc's largest economy.
Huntsworth buys 75pc share in AboveNation Media
Healthcare and communications group Huntsworth announced the acquisition of 75% of AboveNation Media on Thursday, from Steve Minichini and John Lee, for an initial consideration of $1. 75m.
Serco confident in outlook after 2017 struggles
Outsourcing giant Serco confirmed a 2% slide in reported revenue to £2. 95bn in its 2017 results on Thursday, which it said comprised a 6% organic decline from net contract attrition, partially offset by a 4% currency benefit.
Intu Properties full-year profit, NAV rise
FTSE 250 shopping centre operator Intu Properties - which announced a £3. 4bn merger with Hammerson back in December - posted a rise in profit for the year on Thursday as like-for-like net rental income grew for the third successive year.
British American Tobacco shares smoked after mixed results
British American Tobacco reported on a record revenues on Thursday, though while the “transformational” acquisition of Reynolds American helped revenue surge to £20. 29bn, this was short of market expectations.
German business confidence deteriorates more than expected in February - Ifo
German business confidence deteriorated more than expected in February, according to a widely-followed survey released on Thursday.
Clear Leisure's Italian appeal rejected by courts
Entertainment industry investor Clear Leisure told investors on Thursday that its joint appeal against the winding up of its Italian investment Mediapolis Srl had been rejected by the Turin Appeal Court.
Rathbone Brothers reaches new funds under management record
Investment and wealth management company Rathbone Brothers reported a 16. 8% increase in its underlying profit before tax for 2017 on Thursday, to £87. 5m from £74. 9m.
London open: Stocks drop after Fed minutes; Barclays and Centrica buck trend
London stocks fell in early trade on Thursday, tracking weakness on Wall Street and in Asia after the latest Federal Reserve minutes revealed that the US central bank wants to keep lifting short-term interest rates gradually this year, as investors waded through a deluge of corporate releases.
Moneysupermarket profit rises but outlook disappointing
Moneysupermarket. com posted an increase in full-year profit on Thursday as revenue grew and the insurance segment put in a strong performance, but shares in the FTSE 250 price comparison website tumbled as investors were left disappointed by its 2018 outlook.
BAE Systems beats forecasts but flat earnings guidance disappoints
Defence group BAE Systems reported better earnings than expected, growing demand for its laser-guided 'Precision Kill' rockets and improving outlook for defence budgets but flat earnings for 2018.
International strength boosts Hays interim profit
Interim profit at FTSE 250 recruiter Hays rose 18% on the back of strong growth in its international markets and good cost control in the UK.
Barclays swings to net loss but promises bigger dividend in 2018
Barclays declared its intention to more than double dividend payouts in 2018 to 6. 5p per share after lower costs helped lift profits last year - though they were still slightly short of analyst's forecasts.
RSA Insurance full-year profit jumps, dividend lifted 23%
RSA Insurance posted a jump in full-year profit on Thursday and bumped up its dividend as a strong performance in Scandinavia, Canada, the Middle East and Ireland helped to offset a poor showing in the UK.
London pre-open: Stocks to drop as investors mull Fed minutes
London stocks were set to drop at the open on Thursday, tracking weakness on Wall Street after the latest Federal Reserve minutes revealed that the US central bank wants to keep lifting short-term interest rates gradually this year.