Market Report
US close: Markets finish lower as traders angst over state of trade war
Wall Street stocks finished well into the red on Thursday, with fears that trade tensions between Washington and Beijing were set to get worse, rather than better.
FAA says approval of Boeing 737 Max review will not be rushed
The US Federal Aviation Administration said the review of the Boeing 737 Max model jets that were recently grounded following two fatal crashes in under a year will not be rushed.
Europe close: Stocks skid lower alongside sharp drop in oil futures
Stocks on the Continent were pumelled on Thursday amid continued negative headlines around the US-China trade war, even as analysts and market commentary grew increasingly downbeat on the prospects for a relatively quick resolution.
Friday preview: European Parliament elections, Spectris
The focus at the end of the week on both sides of the Channel will be on the results of the elections to the European parliament, with investors keen for any hint of what the results might be, although the official tally will not be known until Sunday.
London close: Footsie finishes lower as Brexit, trade war concerns weigh
London stocks remained in the red at the end of afternoon trading on Thursday, amid growing concerns about Brexit and Sino-US trade relations.
UK voters head to the ballot box for the EU elections
UK voters are heading to the polls for the European Parliament elections and will give their verdict on the main parties' handling of Brexit with Conservative MEPs warn of a massive defeat.
Broker tips: M&S, BT, Pets At Home
Analysts at JP Morgan labelled Marks & Spencer's from the day before "relatively uninspiring", criticising the group's choice of strategy in a challenging market for retailers and reiterating their recommendation to 'underweight' the company's stock.
HSBC ups target price on 'market leader' Pets At Home
Analysts ay HSBC upped their target price on pet supplies retailer Pets at Home from 160p to 190p on Thursday after the group's full-year results a day earlier confirmed the successful completion of its turnaround strategy in retail and some good progress in its vet business.
Deutsche reduces BT target price over fiber tech threat
Analysts at Deutsche Bank reduced their target price on shares of the UK’s biggest broadband and mobile services provider, BT Group, from 235p to 217p on Thursday due to the short to medium term uncertainty around its financials as it gears up in order to meet its long-term ambitions in the fibre-to-the-home space.
Director dealings: K3 director keeps building up stake
K3 Business Technology revealed on Thursday that non-executive director Per Johan Claesson had acquired roughly 4. 72m more ordinary shares in the AIM-listed software and computer services outfit.
FTSE 250 movers: Oilers burn lower, Mitchells & Butlers bubbles up
London's FTSE 250 was down 1. 40% at 19,037. 18 in afternoon trade on Thursday, as oil companies dragged the index down.
JP Morgan reiterates 'underweight' on Marks & Spencer, criticises choice of strategy
Analysts at JP Morgan labelled Marks & Spencer's from the day before "relatively uninspiring", criticising the group's choice of strategy in a challenging market for retailers and reiterating their recommendation to 'underweight' the company's stock.
Smurfit slumps as Goldman said to place 3% stake
Smurfit Kappa slumped on Thursday on news that one of its shareholders was selling 7 million shares of the corrugated packaging company.
US open: Stocks fall sharply at the bell as US-Sino relations remain in focus
Wall Street stocks fell sharply at the opening bell on Thursday, with fears that trade tensions between Washington and Beijing would get worse rather than better doing the rounds.
US new home sales dip in March, but economists say housing is 'fine'
The pace of new home sales in the US dipped last month, but only account of upwards revisions to figures for the previous months and prices rebounded alongside.
FTSE 100 movers: Pharmas shine; Morrisons goes ex-div
London's FTSE 100 was down 1. 4% at 7,234. 25 in afternoon trade on Thursday amid worries about escalating Sino-US trade relations and Brexit.
IMF says US companies paying China tariff costs, warns over growth
US and Chinese consumers "are unequivocally the losers from trade tensions" between the two nations, the International Monetary Fund said in a blog on Thursday.
Intelligent Ultrasound makes good progress with clinical AI development
Artificial intelligence software and simulation company Intelligent Ultrasound Group told shareholders on Thursday that the development of its two real-time image analysis software solutions - ‘ScanNav’ and ‘AnatomyGuide’ - from its clinical AI division was continuing to progress “well”.
Hydrogen Group sees ongoing growth despite Brexit uncertainty
Specialist recruitment company Hydrogen Group reported ongoing growth in line with its expectations on Thursday, as investors gathered for its annual general meeting.
HSS Hire sees FY in line with market views as Q1 profit grows
Tool and equipment hire company HSS Hire posted growth in profit and revenue for the first quarter on Thursday as it said earnings for the year should be in line with market expectations.