Latest News
May calls unions to boost support for Brexit deal
UK Prime Minister Theresa May found herself in a situation unimaginable before Christmas as she telephoned two union leaders seeking support for her Brexit deal.
FX round-up: Pound mixed, US dollar stages small bounce
Sterling was mixed on Thursday, slipping against the US dollar but edging higher versus the European single currency.
Commodities: Oil trims early losses, gold and corn move lower
Commodities were a tad softer on Thursday as the Greenback stabilised a bit following its recent correction, although both remained near their 52-week lows and highs, respectively.
Europe close: Stocks end higher after late rally
Stocks in Europe gained ground after a late lift on the back of a 'dovish' set of European Central Bank meeting minutes and optimism about trade.
Bonds: Investors mulling possible Norway-plus Brexit, keeping close eye on Fedspeak
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Commodities: Oil trims early losses, gold and corn move lower
Commodities were a tad softer on Thursday as the Greenback stabilised a bit following its recent correction, although both remained near their 52-week lows and highs, respectively.
FTSE 250 movers: Halfords skids lower while Mitchells & Butlers bubbles up
London’s FTSE 250 finished down 0. 1% at 18,435. 62 on Thursday, as Halfords crashed by more than 20% following a warning of deflated profits.
Gama Aviation acquires new business as part of $10m US expansion
Gama Aviation on Thursday purchased a paint and interior completion business currently operated by Lotus Aviation Group at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
Friday preview: UK industrial production, US CPI in the spotlight
The focus at the end of the week will shift back towards the United Kingdom, with a slew of economic data set for release.
Sector movers: Retailers diverge
General retailers led a band of not so merry sectors lower on Thursday, while the food-focused side of the high street was one of the best performing areas.
London close: Stocks ride oil price higher, despite weakness in retailers
It was almost all about the retail sector on Thursday, with London stocks slightly weaker throughout most of the session as investors mulled updates from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Halfords.
Acacia Mining hit with fine from Environmental Protection Order over alleged breaches
African focussed gold miner Acacia Mining has received an Environmental Protection Order requesting payment of a TZS 300m (£102,300) fine stemming from alleged breaches of environmental regulations in Tanzania.
StatPro wins £1.45m contract for flagship software product
StatPro Group on Thursday secured a five-year contract with a UK investment manager with a minimum contract value of £1. 45m and a significant uplift in annual value.
Director dealings: Polar Capital co-founder lowers stake
Polar Capital co-founder Brian Ashford-Russell disposed of 250,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed investment manager on Thursday, lowering his stake to a total of 5. 52% of the company's issued share capital in the process.
Broker tips: Cranswick, Burberry, Ted Baker, Merlin Entertainments
Analysts at Liberum upgraded UK food producer Cranswick to 'buy' on Thursday after the group's recent 20% drop had brought its shares back below its five-year price/earnings ratio for the first time in two years.
Personal Group warns of future impact to trading from Brexit
Employee services outfit Personal Group expects full-year results to be broadly in line with City expectations but warned that tough market conditions as a result of uncertainties surrounding the UK's withdrawal from the EU would likely hamper growth moving forward.
Merlin magic ebbing at London attractions, warns UBS
UBS recommended clients sell Merlin Entertainments shares on Thursday after its research showed a decline in average reviews at the group's Midway attractions and Legoland parks in the UK.
JP Morgan cuts target on Rolls Royce, keeps Airbus as 'top pick'
JP Morgan slashed its target price for Rolls Royce, cautioning clients of the multiple company-specific but also sector-wide headwinds which the company was facing, even as it continued to sound a positive note on the European Civil Aerospace sector and on the likes of Airbus, Meggitt and MTU.
Rolls-Royce warns of production halt in no-deal Brexit scenario
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has warned parliament to avoid a disorderly Brexit or it could mean lack of necessary materials and risk a halt in is production in its factory in southern England.
Nike under investigation by EC over Dutch tax treatment
Brussels has started an in-depth investigation into the tax treatment afforded to Nike's operations by the Netherlands and whether it gave the company an unfair advantage over competitors.