Market Report
EU extends sanctions on Russia until 2020
European Union leaders decided on Thursday to extend the bloc's economic sanctions on Russia over the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine into 2020 .
Friday preview: Euro area PMIs, UK public sector deficit data in focus
The spotlight at the end of the week, barring surprises on the international trade front or from the Persian Gulf, will be on the latest readings for activity in the euro area's factory and services sectors.
Director dealings: Evraz's chairman and CEO both sell shares
Evraz's chairman and chief executive officer reduced their stakes in the company just four days after shares of the steelmaker had notched-up fresh record highs.
Europe close: Stocks finish off their best levels amid geopolitical jitters
Stocks on the Continent finished higher on the back of a more dovish than expected US central bank policy announcement overnight, according to traders, although heightened geopolitical tensions following the downing of a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz saw investors take some money off the table.
Europe midday: Stocks jump on 'dovish' Fed, traders brush off tensions in Persian Gulf
Stocks on the Continent are moving sharply higher on the back of a more dovish than expected US central bank, according to traders, with investors brushing off the ratcheting up in geopolitical tensions following the downing of a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
US shoots down Iranian claim drone violated its airspace
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps shot down a US drone on Thursday claiming that it had violated the country’s airspace.
London close: Stocks grind higher despite tensions in Gulf, pound strength
London stocks finished higher on Thursday as 'dovish' comments from the US central bank overnight offset the impact from the Bank of England's decision to insist on the need for "gradual" rate hikes even as it reduced its forecasts for second-quarter growth.
Broker tips: Vodafone, Berkeley Group, Halma
Analysts at Berenberg trimmed their target price for Vodafone's shares but reiterated their 'buy' recommendation, telling clients they spied 'greenshoots' in Italy and Spain and scope for a reduction in the telco carrier's leverage.
Berenberg reiterates 'buy' on Vodafone, sees scope for deleveraging
Analysts at Berenberg trimmed their target price for Vodafone's shares but reiterated their 'buy' recommendation, telling clients they spied 'greenshoots' in Italy and Spain and scope for a reduction in the telco carrier's leverage.
Q1 profits and sales slip at Kroger
US supermarket chain Kroger, one of the world’s biggest retailers, saw profits and sales dip in the first quarter, but insisted that its transformation programme was on track.
US open: S&P 500 at record high, Brent futures fly on Middle East tensions
Stocks jumped out of the gate on Thursday, with the S&P 500 notching up a fresh record high and investors waiting for the first trades in Slack and Grocery Outlet on the day of their stock market debut, even as crude oil futures leaped higher as tensions in the Persian Gulf worsened sharply.
Paragon Entertainment to appoint administrators
Paragon Entertainment said on Thursday that it has decided to appoint administrators "as soon as possible".
Trump believes he has power to replace Powell at Fed
US President Donald Trump believes that he has the power to replace the Federal Reserve’s chief Jerome Powell and demote him to governor.
UBS ups Halma to 'neutral' amid improving end market signals
Halma got a boost on Thursday as UBS upgraded its stance on the shares to 'neutral' from 'sell', upping the price target to 2,060p from 945p as it pointed to improving end market signals and M&A growth.
US Q1 current account deficit narrows by less than expected
America's shortfall on trade and other current transactions with the rest of the world was bigger than expected at the start of 2019.
FTSE 250 movers: BCA Marketplace rallies on possible bid; Dixons Carphone slumps
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 9% at 19,410. 43 in afternoon trade on Thursday, with BCA Marketplace pacing the gains.
FTSE 100 movers: Fresnillo shines as gold rallies; Carnival sinks on guidance downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 6% at 7,448. 60 in afternoon trade on Thursday, as investors digested policy announcements from the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve.
Philly Fed index drops much more sharply than expected in June
Factory sector activity in the US mid-Atlantic region cooled a tad last month amid worries over global trade frictions, mainly between the US and Mexico, but some economists were expecting a rebound following the recent resolution of that dispute, subject to a thawing in the trade relationship between Washington and Beijing.
Weekly US jobless claims fall by more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time last week decreased by more than expected.
Bank of England votes unanimously to keep rates on hold
The Bank of England has left interest rates unchanged, it announced on Thursday, despite acknowledging that the outlook for the UK economy had weakened.