Latest News
Avation enters $100m aircraft revolving credit facility agreement
Avation has entered into a secured aircraft revolving facility agreement with an unnamed “leading” international bank, it announced on Thursday.
London midday: Stocks maintain slight losses as BoE stands pat
London stocks were still slightly weaker by midday on Thursday as the Bank of England stood pat on monetary policy, as widely expected.
Worldwide inequality grows as richest 0.1% grab more wealth
The 2018 World Inequality Report shows the dramatic rise in inequality in recent decades caused by unequal ownership of capital, privatisation of public assets and limp tax policies.
Asia report: Markets lower as Hong Kong, Beijing move interest rates higher
Markets in Asia finished lower on Thursday, as both the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the People’s Bank of China raised rates in the wake of the latest rate increase from the US Federal Reserve.
Bonds: Euro area periphery risk spreads jump
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 34% (-6bp)UK: 1. 22% (-0bp)Germany: 0. 31% (+0bp)France: 0. 66% (+2bp)Italy: 1. 80% (+9bp)Spain: 1. 50% (+4bp)Greece: 4. 26% (-12bp) Portugal: 1. 88% (+4bp)Japan: 0,05% (+0bp) .
Thursday broker round-up
Vectura Group: RBC upgrades to Sector Perform with a target price of 450p.
Europe open: Stocks slip after Fed policy decision, ECB ahead
Stocks have begun the morning trading lower, tracking a mixed close on Wall Street overnight and on the back of a mixed batch of economic data out of China overnight.
Debenhams boosted by Investec upgrade to 'hold'
Debenhams got a boost on Thursday as Investec upgraded its stance on the stock to 'hold' from 'sell' following a drop in the share price.
Lonmin surges as it agrees £285m Sibanye-Stillwater takeover
Lonmin shares rose sharply on Thursday after the platinum miner agreed to be taken over by South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater in an all-share deal that values the group at around £285m.
Ifo bumps up German growth forecasts
The Ifo Institute bumped up its German growth forecasts for next year as it highlighted strength in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Eurozone manufacturing PMI hits highest level on record in December - IHS Markit
Business activity in the eurozone accelerated in December, with manufacturing activity at a record high, according to figures released on Thursday.
Costain appointed to Crown Commercial Service management consultancy framework
Construction and engineering group Costain has been appointed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to provide consulting services as part of its management consultancy framework.
UK retail sales flatter to deceive thanks to Black Friday effect
UK retail sales increased much more than expected last month due to a statistical anomaly caused by Black Friday.
Commons defeat cranks up pressure on May ahead of Brussels summit
Prime Minister Theresa May suffered an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons overnight as dissenters from her own party joined opposition MPs in backing an amendment which requires a parliamentary vote on the final Brexit deal.
Commodities: DoE data sinks energy futures, Fed buoys gold
Commodities were little changed overall on Wednesday, but amid significant volatility underneath the surface.
Ocado's sales growth hit by lack of delivery drivers
Ocado reported slightly slower sales growth in the fourth quarter as a lack of delivery drivers put the brakes on capacity, though previous falls in the online grocer's average basket size were arrested.
Sports Direct first-half profits slump 67%
Despite claims by chief executive Mike Ashley that Sports Direct's elevation strategy is delivering a "spectacular trading performance", shares in the retailer slumped on Thursday as investors reacted to a 67% drop in pre-tax profit.
GCP Infrastructure maintains dividends amid market turbulence
GCP Infrastructure Investments posted its annual results for the year to 30 September on Thursday, confirming dividends of 7. 6p per share had been paid for the year, in line with that paid in 2016.
Capital & Counties acquires Covent Garden leasehold
Capital & Counties Properties has acquired the long leasehold interest in 15-17 Long Acre & 27b Floral Street for £79m before purchaser's costs.
Spectris offloads half of EMS B&K to Macquarie
Productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company Spectris has signed an agreement with Macquarie Capital - the corporate advisory and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group - for them to acquire 50% of Spectris' environmental monitoring business EMS Brüel & Kjær for a total cash consideration of AUD 76. 6m (£43. 4m), subject to closing adjustments.