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Canaccord ups its target price on Barratt
Barratt Developments continues to deliver for investors and has made an encouraging start to the year, Canaccord Genuity said as the broker increased its target price for the housebuilder's shares.
London close: Stocks finish higher as China confirms US tariff cut
London stocks remained off their earlier highs, but were still in the green at the close on Thursday, with sentiment underpinned by China’s plans to cut tariffs on $75bn of US goods.
Europe close: Stocks finish higher even after 'grim' German factory data
Stocks on the continent were higher at the end of the day on Thursday, as investors looked to Friday's monthly US jobs report and digested what one analyst in the City termed an "unequivocally grim" report on German factory orders.
Polar Capital Financials Trust to continue past original wind-up date
Polar Capital Global Financials Trust updated the market on the future of the company on Thursday, after its chairman and corporate broker Investec Bank conducted meetings with major shareholders.
Friday preview: US jobs data, Bellway in the spotlight
The market spotlight at the end of the week will be firmly on the latest monthly US jobs data, which may help to put a floor under growth forecasts for 2020.
Directors deals: Energean directors buy in
OilCo Investments, a vehicle "closely associated" to one of the founding partners of Energean Oil & Gas, Efstathios Topouzoglou, picked up a big batch of shares in the oil and exploration outfit.
ImmuPharma and Avion to proceed with Lupuzor phase 3 trial
Specialist drug discovery and development company ImmuPharma updated the market on its activities with Avion Pharmaceuticals on Thursday, following the licence and development agreement it signed with Avion in November for the exclusive rights to ‘Lupuzor’ in North America.
FTSE 250 movers: Beazley boosted by results; Royal Mail fails to deliver
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 3% at 21,576. 49 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stocks edge higher on positive trade news
Stocks on Wall Street traded slightly higher after China announced that it would lower tariffs on some US exports and amid optimism ahead of the monthly non-farm payrolls data due out the next day.
FTSE 100 movers: Compass rallies on update; NMC Health retreats
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 7,501. 27 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Three Thai conglomerates bid for Tesco stores - report
Tesco's stores in Thailand and Malaysia have attracted offers from three Thai conglomerates in the first round of bidding on a deal expected to be worth as much as $10bn (£7. 7bn), the Financial Times reported.
Advent buys Forescout for $1.9bn in cash
Forescout Technologies has agreed to be bought by Advent International for $1. 9bn (£1. 5bn) in cash in the private equity firm's latest purchase on its buying spree.
Liberum stays at 'sell' on Royal Mail ahead of likely strike action
Liberum reiterated a 'sell' recommendation on shares of Royal Mail on the back of the downbeat guidance provided by the company and the risk of strike action.
Deutsche Bank stays at 'hold' on GSK, says shares 'fully valued'
Analysts at Deutsche Bank stood by their 'hold' recommendation and 1,650. 0p target price for shares of GlaxoSmithKline following the drug giant's fourth quarter numbers.
US Q4 unit labor costs exceed forecasts
The productivity of US workers picked up at the tail-end of last year as expected, but labour costs still grew more quickly than anticipated.
On the Beach capitalises on Thomas Cook collapse
On the Beach said its sales rose strongly as the online holiday retailer sought to capitalise on the collapse of Thomas Cook.
US jobless claims fall to lowest level since April
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to its lowest level since last April, according to data from the Labor Department.
Amazon could betray customer trust over flawed recommendation system
The Amazon’s Choice endorsement system is reportedly flawed and recommending poor quality products that have fake reviews, putting customers at risk of being misled.
Thursday broker round-up
CMC Markets: Peel Hunt downgrades to add with a target price of 180p.
Europe midday: Deutsche Bank and Unicredit pace gains
Stocks on the Continent were modestly higher on Thursday as investors looked out to Friday's monthly US jobs report and digested what one analyst in the City termed an "unequivocally grim" report on German factory orders.