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Small cap round-up
Online trading company CMC Markets said on Thursday that net operating income and pre-tax profit for the year to the end of March 2020 are expected to be "marginally" ahead of the upper end of analysts' ranges.
FX round-up: Traders rush to cover some shorts on Sterling 'just in case'
Traders were forced to cover some of their short positions against the pound after the French President appeared to leave the door open to a possible solution of the Irish Backstop question, which might suffice to avoid a disorderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
Pound snaps higher as Macron backs month of Brexit talks
The pound snapped higher on Thursday afternoon after France's President, Emmanuel Macron, added his weight to proposals from the day before to try and find a solution to the Irish Backstop question over the next month and avoid the UK falling out of the European Union without a withdrawal agreement.
Commodities: Energy and metals futures soften amid Fed doubts
Commodity prices were on the backfoot on Thursday, with weakness in energy and metals futures offsetting a small bid in the agricultural space.
Friday preview: Jerome Powell, Computacenter in the spotlight
All eyes at the end of the week will be on a key speech set to be delivered US Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, at 1500 BST.
Europe close: Stocks slip after 'hawkish' Fedspeak
Stocks on the Continent slipped into the red near the end of the session after two top US central bank officials signalled that they did not support further interest rate cuts.
Director dealings: GVC Holdings CEO ups stake
Gaming firm GVC Holdings revealed on Thursday that chief executive Kenneth Alexander had acquired 833,334 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed group.
London close: Stocks weighed down by Fedspeak and jump in pound
London stocks fell on Thursday, after two top US central bank officials poured cold water on expectations for further policy easing.
Broker tips: BHP, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Ferrexpo, Burford Capital, Diploma, Persimmon
Liberum downgraded its ratings on a host of mining stocks on Thursday as it refreshed its bear case on iron ore, noting that credit growth is not fuelling Chinese property sales as in previous cycles.
Volkswagen denies claims it is interested in Tesla stake
Volkswagen on Thursday denied a media report that the German carmaker was looking to purchase a stake in electric car manufacturer Tesla.
Berenberg raises target price on Persimmon as group works on 'image problem'
Analysts at Berenberg raised their price target on British housebuilder Persimmon slightly, from 2,470p to 2,490p, on Wednesday, crediting the group for continuing to work hard to improve its "image problem".
FTSE 250 movers: PureTech drops, Royal Mail rises
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 07% at 19,193. 47 in afternoon trade on Thursday, with PureTech Health leading the index lower.
Fed's Harker does not see need for more stimulus right now
At least a second top US central bank official argued in favour of staying put on interest rates on Thursday.
US open: Mixed start to trading as updates roll in from Jackson Hole
Trading began with some mixed results on Thursday as investors digested updates from the Federal Reserve's central banking symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Ariana Resources granted new operational licence
Turkey-focussed exploration and development company Ariana Resources announced the grant of a new operational licence, and the final results of a recent drilling campaign completed at its Salinbas Gold Project on Thursday.
Premier Oil announces intention to sell Zama alongside record output
Premier Oil surprised markets on Thursday, announcing its intention to sell its stake in the Zama field offshore Mexico in a bid to further reduce its debt pile.
FTSE 100 movers: NMC Health rallies on deal speculation; CRH loses ground
London's FTSE 100 was down 1. 3% at 7,108. 95 in afternoon trade on Thursday as sterling was boosted by the latest comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
UK must cut down on car use to meet carbon emissions targets
Members of Parliament have said on Thursday that Britons will have to cut down on the use of their cars if the country is to meet its carbon emissions targets for 2030.
Katoro Gold agrees term sheet for disposal of Reef Miners
Tanzania-focussed gold and nickel exploration and development company Katoro Gold has agreed a term sheet with Lake Victoria Gold, it announced on Thursday, covering the disposal of its wholly-owned subsidiary Reef Miners, which owns the Imweru gold project and the Lubando gold project in northern Tanzania.
RBC raises price target on Diploma
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets hiked their target price on technical products and services supplier Diploma on Thursday, citing its strong positions in niche markets, its continued high returns and its ability to augment underlying growth with bolt-on/in-fill deals.