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Bonds: Yields move higher across the board on US-China trade headlines
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Europe close: Stocks continue to grind higher on back of ECB stimulus
European stocks continued their grind higher towards their best levels of the year after the European Central Bank unveiled a new raft of stimulus measures, including another round of debt purchases or so-called 'quantitative easing', and with ECB chief Mario Draghi also calling on governments to step in with fiscal spending.
Chinese buyers purchase US soybeans and pork - Reuters
Private Chinese firms purchased the most soybeans in over a year on Thursday, ahead of mid-level talks between US and Chinese trade officials scheduled for the following week.
Friday preview: US consumer confidence, JD Wetherspoon in focus
The end of the week will see the market spotlight swivel back towards the States, where a slew of economic reports are scheduled to be released on import prices and retail sales in August, alongside a preliminary reading on consumer confidence for September.
London close: UK stocks underperform despite dovish ECB and positive trade news
London stocks underperformed despite another round of monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank - albeit accompanied this time by a very explicit call for fiscal stimulus in the euro area - and apparent signs that trade tensions between the US and China were easing.
Google settles fiscal fraud probe in France for $550m
Google agreed to pay a $550. 0m fine in France to settle a fiscal fraud probe that began four years ago, the country's financial prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday.
Brent futures dip as OPEC+ fails to agree to deeper or more prolonged output curbs
Oil prices were under pressure late on Thursday after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies failed to commit to deeper or more prolonged production curbs by its members.
Broker tips: Hostelworld, Just Group, InterContinental Hotels, Whitbread
Analysts at Berenberg cut their price target on online booking firm Hostelworld from 230p to 145p on Thursday, stating that they preferred to "remain on the sidelines" until there were clearer signs of a turnaround from the group.
US open: Muted start to trading following ECB rate decision
Trading on Wall Street began on a somewhat muted note on Thursday, with investors' attention centred on global trade developments after Donald Trump agreed to hold off on additional tariff increases on Chinese goods for two weeks as a "gesture of good will".
Director dealings: Polymetal director makes share purchase
Polymetal revealed on Thursday that non-executive director Manuel Lino Silva De Sousa-Oliveira had acquired 8,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed precious metals miner.
Steppe Cement sinks as Kazakh market contracts
Shares in Steppe Cement dived on Thursday as the company said the Kazakh cement market had contracted by 3% in the first half of the year, though interim profit and sales both increased.
FTSE 250 movers: IP Group drops, PureTech climbs
London's FTSE 250 was down by 0. 26% to 19,929. 91 in afternoon trading on Thursday, with IP Group leading the index lower.
Whitbread and InterContinental hit as JPMorgan turns more cautious
InterContinental Hotels and Premier Inn owner Whitbread were under the cosh on Thursday as JPMorgan Cazenove stuck 'underweight' ratings on shares of both, saying it was turning more cautious on the risk profile for the European hotel sector.
Huawei attempts to sell its 5G patents to a Western company
Huawei is offering to sell its 5G technology patents, licenses, code, and technical blueprints to a Western company in a one-time-only offer.
ECB cuts deposit rate further and restarts QE
The European Central Bank unleashed a barrage of new stimulus measures, as had been widely anticipated, and opened the door to further easing if needed in order to bring inflation back to target.
Berenberg cuts target price on Hostelworld, says turnaround 'shrouded in uncertainty'
Analysts at Berenberg cut their price target on online booking firm Hostelworld from 230p to 145p on Thursday, stating that they preferred to "remain on the sidelines" until there were clearer signs of a turnaround from the group.
Deutsche Bank lowers target price on Just Group
Analysts at Deutsche Bank lowered their target price on UK financial services firm Just Group from 77. 0p to 54. 0p after management published "two significant items of new information".
JP Morgan still cautious on miners, unless they dig for gold (or silver)
Miners' shares were not without their attractions, but the multiple sources of uncertainty on the investment horizon argued in favour of caution in the fourth quarter, analysts at JP Morgan said - except in the case of gold.
FTSE 100 movers: Morrisons rallies on results; Whitbread and IHG hit by downgrades
London's FTSE 100 was flat at 7,336. 31 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest policy announcement from the European Central Bank.
Cairn Homes posts rise in profit, proposes first interim dividend
Irish housebuilder Cairn Homes posted a rise in first-half profits and revenues on Thursday amid "strong" demand, as it proposed its first interim dividend.