Market Report
US close: Nasdaq hits five-week low as losing streak continues
The end-of-year decline on US stock markets continued into 2025, with all three Wall Street benchmarks registering yet more losses and the Nasdaq hitting a five-week low.
Europe close: Shares shrug off shaky start to rally on first day of 2025
European shares rallied on the first day of trading in 2025 after a shaky start, with energy stocks boosted by a higher oil price and hints that China may provide more stimulus for the struggling economy.
London close: Commodities and retail stocks provide a big lift
UK stocks rallied on Thursday afternoon to finish at their highest level in two and a half weeks, as strong gains in the oil, mining and retail sectors pushed the FTSE 100 up more than 1%.
Emmerson secures $11m non-recourse litigation funding deal
Morocco-focussed potash developer Emmerson announced a litigation funding agreement worth up to $11m on Thursday, and confirmed the appointment of Boies Schiller Flexner (BSF) as its litigation counsel.
Quadrise signs deal with Europe's Seastars consortium
Quadrise announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) as part of the Seastars consortium.
Nioko acquisition of Hummingbird Resources to be declared unconditional
Hummingbird Resources confirmed on Thursday that Nioko Resources Corporation’s recommended all-cash offer for the company would now be declared unconditional when made.
Tesla reports first-ever fall in annual deliveries
Tesla reported a decline in annual deliveries for the first time in its history on Thursday, delivering 1. 79 million vehicles in 2024 compared to 1. 81 million in 2023.
Caspian Sunrise extends long-stop date for BNG area sales
Caspian Sunrise announced an extension to the completion deadline for the sale of its MJF and South Yelemes structures within the BNG Contract Area on Thursday.
US open: Tech stocks push markets higher early on
US stocks bounced back on Thursday with investors hunting for bargains following recent losses, though gains were only modest as traders slowly returned to their desks after the New Year's break.
Hutchmed announces progress, hits milestone with lung cancer treatment
Hutchmed China announced a number of advancements on Thursday, including a regulatory milestone for its lung cancer treatment and a substantial divestment aimed at bolstering its core business strategy.
Vodafone completes EUR 8bn sale of Italian arm
Vodafone Group has finalised the sale of Vodafone Italy to Swisscom for €8bn in cash, it announced on Thursday.
Wood Group offloads EthosEnergy stake for $138m
John Wood Group announced on Thursday that it has completed the sale of its 51% stake in EthosEnergy Group to private equity firm One Equity Partners for a final net cash consideration of $138m.
Phoenix Group to redeem $250m convertible notes early
Phoenix Group Holdings announced the early redemption of its outstanding $250m fixed rate reset perpetual restricted tier 1 contingent convertible notes on Thursday.
Ricardo finalises £68m sale of defence division
Engineering, environmental, and strategic consulting company Ricardo announced on Thursday that it has finalised the sale of its Ricardo Defense division.
US pre-open: Stocks look set for bounce
Wall Street futures were again pointing to a bounce in stocks at the start of trading in 2025, following the four consecutive down sessions registered at the end of the previous year.
Griffin resumes mining and processing at Caijiaying
Griffin Mining announced the resumption of mining and processing operations at its Caijiaying Mine in China on Thursday, following approval from the Emergency Response Bureau.
London midday: Mining and oil stocks lift markets despite weak economic data
Decent gains from mining and oil stocks lifted UK equity markets on Thursday, as investors largely shrugged off a barrage of weak economic data with very little corporate news to focus on.
Europe midday: Shares stay red after weak Asia, eurozone PMI surveys
European shares were firmly in red territory at midday on the first day of trading in 2025, giving up a bright start, as investors braced themselves for an incoming Donald Trump administration and also digested downbeat surveys in Asia and the eurozone.
MobilityOne extends payment deadline again for Sincere Acres stake
MobilityOne announced an extension to the payment deadline for the remaining balance of its MYR 30m (£5. 43m) acquisition of a 49% stake in Sincere Acres.
Asia report: Markets mixed on return from New Year holiday
Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday, with Chinese equities leading losses after disappointing manufacturing data.