Market Report
Prime Minister refuses to be drawn on prospects for no-deal Brexit
The Prime Minister has refused to speculate on what will happen if the draft Withdrawal Agreement fails to secure Parliament’s backing - but conceded a "decision would have to be taken".
US personal spending snaps back, 'core' PCE prices dip more than expected
Consumer spend in the US snapped back last month, mirroring the improvement seen in personal incomes and helped by a dip in prices.
FireAngel Safety signs contract with Glasgow housing association
FireAngel Safety Technology Group has signed a contract to supply Glasgow-based Queens Cross Housing Association with over 12,000 battery-powered smoke and heat alarms.
Initial jobless claims rise to six-month high
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, to a six-month high, according to figures from the Labor Department.
Europe midday: Stocks move higher on more 'dovish' Fed, but only slightly
Stocks are edging slightly higher across the Continent shortly after midday as investors digest a somewhat more 'dovish' or conditional policy bias from central bankers in the States and await a barrage of economic data.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower after strong gains; FOMC minutes eyed
US futures pointed to a slightly weaker session on Thursday following strong gains the previous day on the back of a seemingly dovish speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
PayPoint pleased with underlying growth in first half
Payment network provider PayPoint reported a 1. 6% fall in net revenue in the six months ended 30 September on Thursday, to £55. 6m on a reported basis.
Mayan Energy focusses on strategic development post portfolio review
Oil and gas company Mayan Energy intends to sift through the findings of its recent asset portfolio review in order to determine a strategy for its development.
C4X enters drug discovery AI deal with GTN
Drug discovery company C4X Discovery Holdings has entered into a partnership with GTN, a new player in the field of drug discovery artificial intelligence, initially focussing on identifying potential small molecule hits against a high-value neurodegeneration target, it announced on Thursday.
Synectics expects profits to be in line with expectations
Surveillance outfit Synectics expects full-year underlying pre-tax profits to be "broadly in line with market expectations" after a strong showing in its gaming security division offset weaker performances elsewhere.
eServGlobal's HomeSend joint-venture 'progressing well'
Digital transactions technology outfit eServGlobal updated investors on its HomeSend joint-venture with MasterCard and BICS on Thursday, bringing the market up-to-date on the project's status since the firm's successful £19m fundraiser back in September.
London midday: Stocks extend gains as pound drops; miners rally
London stocks had pushed further into the green by midday on Thursday, helped along by a weaker pound as investors welcomed a dovish speech by Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell.
Hutchison Chi-Med enters four new drug test collaborations
Hutchison China MediTech, doing business as Chi-Med, has entered into four collaboration agreements to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of its ‘surufatinib’ (HMPL-012 or sulfatinib) and ‘fruquintinib’ products, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.
Realm Therapeutics board considering multiple options for sale
Biopharmaceutical company Realm Therapeutics updated the market on the timing of its ongoing formal sale process on Thursday, as part of its previously-announced strategic review.
LXi REIT pleased with progress so far
Specialist inflation-protected very long income real estate investment trust LXi REIT issued its results for the six months ended 30 September on Thursday, reporting a total net asset value return per share, inclusive of dividends, of 8. 08%.
GSK says no decision yet made on Horlicks business
Following reports that it was close to selling its Indian Horlicks business, GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday said only that it is considering a deal.
Irish Continental revenues fall on ferry struggles
Ferry operator Irish Continental Group updated the market on its trading for the year-to-date, to 24 November, on Thursday, reporting revenue for the 10 months through October of €285. 3m.
Hammerson completes sale of 50pc stake in Highcross
Hammerson has completed the sale of the 50% stake in the Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicester to an Asian investor introduced by M&G Real Estate, it announced on Thursday, for £236m.
Motorpoint profits rise but outlook cautious
Motorpoint reported a jump in interim revenue and profit on Thursday as it struck a rather cautious note on its outlook.
Deutsche Bank HQ searched in money-laundering investigation
Deutsche Bank’s headquarters in Frankfurt was searched by prosecutors on Thursday morning in an investigation over money-laundering allegations.