Full List Of Stories
US close: Stocks end slightly higher after data slew; banks and energy shares gain
US stocks ended Thursday’s session a little higher as investors digested the latest readings on growth, jobs and manufacturing, although volumes were thinner than usual as we head towards the Christmas break.
FTSE 250 movers: Dixons rallies but McCarthy & Stone hit by leasehold proposal
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 3% in afternoon trade on Thursday to 20,417. 24 in thin volumes, as the Christmas lull kicked in.
FTSE 100 movers: InterContinental rallies but housebuilders take a hit
London's FTSE 100 was up 1% to 7,599. 18 in afternoon trade on Thursday, taking a leg higher in the second half of the session after breaching the 7,600 mark and posting a new all-time high amid low volumes.
US open: Stocks edge higher as investors digest data slew
US stocks edged tentatively higher in early trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest readings on growth, jobs and manufacturing, although volumes were thinner than usual as we head towards the Christmas break.
US Q3 GDP revised down to 3.2% from 3.3%
Third quarter economic growth in the US was revised down a touch amid weaker consumer spending, according to data released on Thursday.
Philly Fed index unexpectedly jumps higher in December
Manufacturing conditions in the Philadelphia region unexpectedly improved in December, according to a survey released on Thursday.
US initial jobless claims rise more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits grew more than expected last week, according to data from the Labor Department.
Robinson sees FY profit and revenue in line with market expectations
AIM-listed plastic and paperboard manufacturer Robinson said on Thursday that revenue and profit for 2017 are expected to be in line with market views.
US pre-open: Stocks to edge up ahead of jobless claims, GDP
US futures pointed to a slightly firmer open on Wall Street on Thursday as investors eyed data on jobs and economic growth, although volumes were expected to be light as we approach the Christmas break.
London midday: Stocks edge up as investors mull consumer confidence, public deficit
London stocks edged higher by midday on Thursday as investors digested the passing of the US tax reform bill and the latest readings on UK consumer confidence and public finances, with trading volumes thin in the run-up to Christmas.
Balfour Beatty to make £103m from sale of M25 stake, lifts profit expectations
FTSE 250 infrastructure group Balfour Beatty rallied on Thursday as it announced the sale of a 12. 5% stake in Connect Plus, the company which operates the M25 orbital motorway, for £103m, and lifted its 2017 profit expectations.
Directa Plus wins new order from bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria
AIM-listed Directa Plus, a producer and supplier of graphene-based products, has received an order from Vittoria to supply 250 kilos of its Graphene Plus (G+) for incorporation into its range of graphene-enhanced bicycle tyres and wheels.
Marlowe buys Guardian Water Treatment for up to £2.8m
Support services group Marlowe has bought Guardian Water Treatment for up to £2. 8m on a cash and debt-free basis in a deal to be financed from existing cash resources.
F W Thorpe buys Netherlands-based Famostar
AIM-listed F W Thorpe has announced the acquisition of Famostar, a Dutch specialist in emergency lighting for a range of different sectors, for an initial consideration of €7. 6m (£6. 8m).
Peel Hunt upgrades DFS, says should benefit from Harveys' woes
Peel Hunt upped its stance on DFS Furniture to 'hold' from 'reduce' as it highlighted issues at Steinhoff-owned rival Harveys.
London open: Stocks nudge lower as volumes thin out; consumer confidence in focus
London stocks nudged lower in early trade on Thursday as investors digested the passing of the US tax reform bill and the latest reading on UK consumer confidence, with trading volumes thin in the run-up to Christmas.
UK consumer confidence hits four-year low in December - GfK
Consumer confidence in the UK fell to a four-year low in December, according to a survey released on Thursday.
Euromoney appoints Wendy Pallot as CFO
Euromoney Institutional Investor has appointed Wendy Pallot as its chief financial officer, succeeding finance director Colin Jones on a date to be confirmed.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Agency workers, car manufacturing, Bitcoin
Agency workers are collectively underpaid by £400m a year compared to their full-time counterparts, with the pay gap costing temporary admin staff £990 a year on average, according to new research. The Resolution Foundation said the loss of pay across all sectors took the average loss for each of the UK’s 800,000 agency workers to £500 a year, up from £430 last year. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks to nudge up but volumes seen thin ahead of Christmas
London stocks were set for a marginally firmer open on Thursday, with volumes likely to be thin as many traders are already away from their desks for the Christmas break.