Market Report
FX round-up: Pound mixed, US dollar stages small bounce
Sterling was mixed on Thursday, slipping against the US dollar but edging higher versus the European single currency.
Commodities: Oil trims early losses, gold and corn move lower
Commodities were a tad softer on Thursday as the Greenback stabilised a bit following its recent correction, although both remained near their 52-week lows and highs, respectively.
Europe close: Stocks end higher after late rally
Stocks in Europe gained ground after a late lift on the back of a 'dovish' set of European Central Bank meeting minutes and optimism about trade.
Bonds: Investors mulling possible Norway-plus Brexit, keeping close eye on Fedspeak
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Commodities: Oil trims early losses, gold and corn move lower
Commodities were a tad softer on Thursday as the Greenback stabilised a bit following its recent correction, although both remained near their 52-week lows and highs, respectively.
FTSE 250 movers: Halfords skids lower while Mitchells & Butlers bubbles up
London’s FTSE 250 finished down 0. 1% at 18,435. 62 on Thursday, as Halfords crashed by more than 20% following a warning of deflated profits.
London close: Stocks ride oil price higher, despite weakness in retailers
It was almost all about the retail sector on Thursday, with London stocks slightly weaker throughout most of the session as investors mulled updates from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Halfords.
Acacia Mining hit with fine from Environmental Protection Order over alleged breaches
African focussed gold miner Acacia Mining has received an Environmental Protection Order requesting payment of a TZS 300m (£102,300) fine stemming from alleged breaches of environmental regulations in Tanzania.
Director dealings: Polar Capital co-founder lowers stake
Polar Capital co-founder Brian Ashford-Russell disposed of 250,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed investment manager on Thursday, lowering his stake to a total of 5. 52% of the company's issued share capital in the process.
Broker tips: Cranswick, Burberry, Ted Baker, Merlin Entertainments
Analysts at Liberum upgraded UK food producer Cranswick to 'buy' on Thursday after the group's recent 20% drop had brought its shares back below its five-year price/earnings ratio for the first time in two years.
Personal Group warns of future impact to trading from Brexit
Employee services outfit Personal Group expects full-year results to be broadly in line with City expectations but warned that tough market conditions as a result of uncertainties surrounding the UK's withdrawal from the EU would likely hamper growth moving forward.
JP Morgan cuts target on Rolls Royce, keeps Airbus as 'top pick'
JP Morgan slashed its target price for Rolls Royce, cautioning clients of the multiple company-specific but also sector-wide headwinds which the company was facing, even as it continued to sound a positive note on the European Civil Aerospace sector and on the likes of Airbus, Meggitt and MTU.
Nike under investigation by EC over Dutch tax treatment
Brussels has started an in-depth investigation into the tax treatment afforded to Nike's operations by the Netherlands and whether it gave the company an unfair advantage over competitors.
Castleton Technology buys Deeplake Digital for £1.8m
Software and manged services provider Castleton Technology has agreed to buy Deeplake Digital for £1. 8m in cash.
Macy's shares pummelled as retailer cuts guidance just two months after upgrading it
US retailer Macy’s shocked investors on Thursday morning as it cut full-year sales and earnings forecasts just two months after having upgraded them.
Robert Walters enjoys record Q4 as Asia Pacific, Europe perform well
Recruiter Robert Walters said on Thursday that it enjoyed a record fourth quarter thanks to a strong performance in Asia Pacific and Europe, which now account for 66% of global net fee income.
US open: Stocks edge lower at the bell on weak Chinese inflation data
Wall Street trading kicked off with losses at the open on Thursday as concerns about the ongoing government shutdown increased and following weaker-than-forecast Chinese inflation data.
FTSE 100 movers: Fresnillo shines but Burberry dented by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 6,916. 41 in afternoon trade on Thursday, reversing earlier losses.
Positive results from FLU-v study welcomed by hVIVO
Clinical development services company hVIVO announced positive results for the primary endpoint, following completion of analysis of samples by NIAID, and additional results from the Phase IIb viral challenge study of FLU-v.
Fed's Barkin sees 'somewhat slower' growth, argues against 'short-termism'
A top US central bank official forecast slower growth in 2019 versus the prior year in a speech delivered on Thursday, underlining some of the caution evident in recent policy remarks from his peers.